Flow control in microfluidic systems

ABSTRACT

Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/443,426, filed Feb. 27, 2017, entitled “FLOW CONTROL IN MICROFLUIDICSYSTEMS,” by Linder, et al., which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/490,033, filed Jun. 6, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 9,592,505, entitled “FLOW CONTROL IN MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS,” byLinder, et al., which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/428,372, filed Apr. 22, 2009, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,222,049,entitled “FLOW CONTROL IN MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS,” by Linder, et al.,which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/047,923, filed Apr. 25, 2008, entitled “FLOWCONTROL IN MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS,” by Linder, et al., each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to microfluidic systems, andmore specifically, to microfluidic systems and methods that providecontrol of fluid flow.

BACKGROUND

The manipulation of fluids plays an important role in fields such aschemistry, microbiology and biochemistry. These fluids may includeliquids or gases and may provide reagents, solvents, reactants, orrinses to chemical or biological processes. While various microfluidicmethods and devices, such as microfluidic assays, can provideinexpensive, sensitive and accurate analytical platforms, fluidmanipulations—such as sample introduction, introduction of reagents,storage of reagents, separation of fluids, modulation of flow rate,collection of waste, extraction of fluids for off-chip analysis, andtransfer of fluids from one chip to the next—can add a level of cost andsophistication. Accordingly, advances in the field that could reducecosts, simplify use, and/or improve fluid manipulations in microfluidicsystems would be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Microfluidic systems that provide control of fluid flow and methodsassociated therewith are provided.

In one aspect of the invention, a series of methods are provided. In oneembodiment, a method comprises flowing a first fluid from a firstchannel portion to a second channel portion in a microfluidic system,wherein a fluid path defined by the first channel portion has a largercross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of a fluid path definedby the second channel portion. The method also includes flowing a secondfluid in a third channel portion in the microfluidic system in fluidcommunication with the first and second channel portions, wherein theviscosity of the first fluid is different than the viscosity of thesecond fluid, and wherein the first and second fluids are substantiallyincompressible. Without stopping the first or second fluids, the methodincludes causing a volumetric flow rate of the first and second fluidsto decrease by a factor of at least 3 in the microfluidic system as aresult of the first fluid flowing from the first channel portion to thesecond channel portion, compared to the absence of flowing the firstfluid from the first channel portion to the second channel portion. Themethod also includes effecting a chemical and/or biological interactioninvolving a component of the first or second fluids at a first analysisregion in fluid communication with the channel portions while the firstand second fluids are flowing at the decreased flow rate.

In another embodiment, a method comprises flowing a first fluid from afirst channel portion to a second channel portion in a microfluidicsystem, wherein a fluid path defined by the first channel portion has alarger cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of a fluid pathdefined by the second channel portion. A second fluid is flowed in athird channel portion in the microfluidic system in fluid communicationwith the first and second channel portions, wherein the viscosity of thefirst fluid is different than the viscosity of the second fluid, andwherein the first and second fluids are substantially incompressible.Without stopping the first or second fluids, the method includes causinga volumetric flow rate of the first and second fluids to decrease by afactor of at least 50 in the microfluidic system as a result of thefirst fluid flowing from the first channel portion to the second channelportion, compared to the absence of flowing the first fluid from thefirst channel portion to the second channel portion.

In another embodiment, a method comprises applying a substantiallyconstant, non-zero pressure drop across an inlet and an outlet of amicrofluidic system comprising a microfluidic channel in fluidcommunication with a first analysis region, while carrying out thefollowing steps: flowing, at a first volumetric flow rate, a first fluidand a second fluid in a microfluidic channel positioned between theinlet and the outlet and in fluid communication with the first analysisregion; without changing a cross-sectional area of a channel of themicrofluidic system and without stopping the first or second fluids,causing at least a portion of the first fluid and/or second fluid toflow at a second volumetric flow rate in at least a portion of the firstanalysis region, wherein the second volumetric flow rate differs fromthe first volumetric flow rate by a factor of at least 3; and effectinga chemical and/or biological interaction involving a first component ofthe first or second fluids at the first analysis region at the slower ofthe first and second volumetric flow rates.

In another embodiment, a method of operating a microfluidic systemcomprises applying a pressure drop across an inlet and an outlet of amicrofluidic system, while carrying out the following steps: flowing afirst fluid from a first channel portion to a second channel portionpositioned between the inlet and the outlet of the microfluidic system,wherein a fluid path defined by the first channel portion has a largercross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of a fluid path definedby the second channel portion; without stopping the first fluid, causinga volumetric flow rate of the first fluid to decrease by a factor of atleast 50 in the microfluidic system as a result of the first fluidflowing from the first channel portion to the second channel portion;and preventing any of the first fluid from exiting the microfluidicsystem via the outlet during operation of the microfluidic system as aresult of the decrease in volumetric flow rate of the first fluid.

In another aspect of the invention, a kit is provided. The kit comprisesa microfluidic system comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a microfluidicchannel positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The microfluidicchannel comprises a first channel portion comprising a fluid path havinga first cross-sectional area and a second channel portion comprising afluid path having a second cross-sectional area positioned immediatelyadjacent the first channel portion, wherein the first cross-sectionalarea is greater than the second cross-sectional area. The microfluidicsystem also includes a first analysis region in fluid communication withthe second channel portion and positioned between the inlet and theoutlet. The kit further includes a known volume of a first fluid to beflowed in the microfluidic system, and a known volume of a second fluidto be flowed in the microfluidic system, the second fluid having aviscosity such that an act of flowing the second fluid from the firstchannel portion to the second channel portion results in a decrease involumetric flow rate of the first fluid by a factor of at least 50compared to the flowing of the first fluid from the first channelportion to the second channel portion. The volume and viscosity of thesecond fluid and the dimensions of the first and second channel portionsare determined to allow the first fluid to flow for a known,pre-calculated amount of time in the analysis region during use.

Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of various non-limitingembodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying figures. In cases where the present specification and adocument incorporated by reference include conflicting and/orinconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control. If twoor more documents incorporated by reference include conflicting and/orinconsistent disclosure with respect to each other, then the documenthaving the later effective date shall control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which areschematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures,each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typicallyrepresented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not everycomponent is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of eachembodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary toallow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. Inthe figures:

FIGS. 1A-1H show various microfluidic channels including flowconstriction regions that can be used to control fluid flow in amicrofluidic system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C show various microfluidic channels including flowconstriction regions having flow constriction elements that can be usedto control fluid flow in a microfluidic system according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3F show velocity control of fluids in microfluidic systemsaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a device that can be used to perform an assayaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C show flow of a fluid in a microfluidic system comprising aliquid containment region according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C show the flow of plugs of fluid flowing in a microfluidicsystem comprising a liquid containment region according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7C show the flow immiscible fluids in the form of plugs in amicrofluidic system comprising a liquid containment region according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C show a flow constriction region associated with a detectionregion near an outlet of a microfluidic system according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are plots showing deceleration and acceleration offluids, respectively, in a microfluidic system comprising a flowconstriction region positioned upstream of an analysis region accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a plot of flow rate as a function of volume of fluiddispensed in a microfluidic system having a flow constriction regionpositioned downstream of an analysis region according to one embodimentof the invention; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B show time course measurements of reactions takingplace in analysis regions positioned in series in a microfluidic systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control offluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, forexample, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence ofchannel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside thesystem. One method includes flowing a plug of a low viscosity fluid anda plug of a high viscosity fluid in a channel including a flowconstriction region and a non-constriction region. In one embodiment,the low viscosity fluid flows at a first flow rate in the channel andthe flow rate is not substantially affected by the fluid flowing in theflow constriction region. When the high viscosity fluid flows from thenon-constriction region to the flow constriction region, the flow ratesof the fluids decrease substantially, since the flow rates, in somesystems, are influenced by the highest viscosity fluid flowing in thesmallest cross-sectional area of the system (e.g., the flow constrictionregion). This causes the low viscosity fluid to flow at a second, slowerflow rate than its original flow rate, e.g., at the same flow rate atwhich the high viscosity fluid flows in the flow constriction region.Accordingly, by designing microfluidic systems with flow constrictionregions positioned at particular locations and by choosing appropriateviscosities of fluids, a fluid can be made to speed up or slow down atdifferent locations within the system without the use of valves and/orwithout external control. In addition, as described in more detailbelow, the length of the channel portions can be chosen to allow a fluidto remain in a particular area of the system for a certain period oftime. Such systems are particularly useful for performing chemicaland/or biological assays, as well as other applications in which timingof reagents is important.

The articles, systems, and methods described herein may be combined withthose described in International Patent Publication No. WO2005/066613(International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2004/043585), filedDec. 20, 2004 and entitled “Assay Device and Method”; InternationalPatent Publication No. WO2005/072858 (International Patent ApplicationSerial No. PCT/US2005/003514), filed Jan. 26, 2005 and entitled “FluidDelivery System and Method”; International Patent Publication No.WO2006/113727 (International Patent Application Serial No.PCT/US06/14583), filed Apr. 19, 2006 and entitled “Fluidic StructuresIncluding Meandering and Wide Channels”; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/113,503, filed May 1, 2008 and entitled “Fluidic Connectors andMicrofluidic Systems”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/196,392,filed Aug. 22, 2008, entitled “Liquid containment for integratedassays”; U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/149,253, filed Feb. 2, 2009,entitled “Structures for Controlling Light Interaction with MicrofluidicDevices”; and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/138,726, filed Dec.18, 2008, entitled “Reagent storage in microfluidic systems and relatedarticles and methods”, each of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety for all purposes.

FIGS. 1A-1H show various microfluidic channels that can be used tocontrol fluid flow in a microfluidic system according to one embodimentof the invention. FIG. 1A shows a side view and FIG. 1B shows a top viewof a portion of a channel 20. As shown in the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 1A, channel 20 may include a first channel portion 30, a secondchannel portion 34, and a third channel portion 38. Second channelportion 34 may act as a flow constriction region as it has a smallerheight, and, therefore, a smaller cross-sectional area, than those ofthe first and third channel portions. First and third channel portions30 and 38 are non-constrictive to fluid flow relative to the secondchannel portion; that is, the first and third channel portions act asnon-constriction regions in this embodiment.

In one embodiment, a low viscosity fluid 40 (e.g., a first fluid) flowsin channel 20 at a first flow rate in the direction of arrow 50, asshown in FIG. 1A. The flow rate of low viscosity fluid 40 may beregulated by the smallest cross-sectional area of the channel system,such as the flow constriction region formed by second channel portion34. As described in more detail below, in some embodiments involvingsubstantially incompressible fluids in the channel system, the flow rateof all the fluids in the system may be equal to one another. Thus, theflow rate of portion 40A of low viscosity fluid 40 in first channelportion 30, and portion 40C in third channel portion 38, may be governedby the flow rate in second channel portion 34 (e.g., portion 40B).Likewise, high viscosity fluid 42, e.g., a second fluid having arelatively higher viscosity than that of low viscosity fluid 40, mayalso flow at the first flow rate as it flows in first channel portion30. Optionally, a low viscosity fluid 44 (e.g., a third fluid), whichmay also have a relatively lower viscosity compared to that of highviscosity fluid 42, may follow high viscosity fluid 42 at the first flowrate.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, when high viscosityfluid 42 enters second channel portion 34, the high viscosity of thefluid causes it to flow at a second, slower flow rate than the firstflow rate (which, as described above, may be governed by the flow of lowviscosity fluid 40 through second channel portion 34). The introductionof high viscosity fluid 42 into second channel portion 34 causes theflow rate of the fluids in the system to decrease; i.e., low viscosityfluids 40 and 44 now flow at the second flow rate. All of the fluids mayflow at the second flow rate until all or a portion of high viscosityfluid 42 flows out of second channel portion 34 and into third channelportion 38, as shown in FIG. 1D. When this occurs, low viscosity fluid44 enters second channel portion 34, and the flow rate of the fluids inthe system may now be governed by the flow rate at which fluid 44 flowsthrough this flow constriction region.

In one embodiment, low viscosity fluid 44 has the same viscosity asfluid 40, and the act of high viscosity fluid 42 exiting the flowconstriction region and low viscosity fluid 44 entering the flowconstriction region cause all of the first, second, and third fluids toflow at the first flow rate. Alternatively, if low viscosity fluid 44has a lower viscosity than that of fluids 40 and 42, the flow rate ofthe fluids may be higher relative to the first flow rate.

It should be understood that while in some embodiments, the flow rate ofone or more fluids in a microfluidic system is governed by the flow of afluid in a flow constriction region, in other embodiments, flow rate maybe regulated by the flow of a high viscosity fluid in a non-constrictionregion. For instance, referring to FIG. 1A, if fluid 42 has asufficiently high viscosity, the flow rate of the fluids may beregulated by the flow of this fluid in channel portion 30 despite theflow of fluid 40 in the flow constriction region. The control of flowrate is, therefore, determined by a balance between several factors.Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that thefollowing theory can be used to describe the relationship between flowrate, channel dimensions, and viscosities of fluids flowing in a channelsystem.

Laminar flow of an incompressible uniform viscous fluid (e.g., Newtonianfluid) in a tube driven by pressure can be described by Poiseuille'sLaw, which is expressed as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{Q = {\frac{\pi \; R^{4}}{8\eta} \cdot \frac{\Delta \; P}{L}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} )\end{matrix}$

where Q is the volumetric flow rate (in m³/s, for example), R is theradius in of the tube (m), ΔP is the change in pressure across the tube(Pa), η is the dynamic fluid viscosity (Pa·s), and L is the length ofthe tube (m). To generalize beyond circular tubes to any closed channel,this equation can be expressed as:

$\begin{matrix}{Q = {\frac{{AR}_{H}^{2}}{8\eta} \cdot \frac{\Delta \; P}{L}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1b} )\end{matrix}$

where A is the cross-sectional area of the channel and R_(H) is thehydraulic radius, R_(H)=2A/P with P being the parameter of the channel.For a circular tube, AR_(H) ²=πR⁴. For a rectangular channel of width wand depth d, AR_(H) ²=(wd)³/(w+d)².

For incompressible flow, the flow rate throughout a simple channelsystem must be equal. The simple channel can be conceptualized by asingle microchannel with a single entrance (i.e., an inlet), a singleexit (i.e., an outlet), and no connecting channels (i.e., no channelintersections). The flow rate at the inlet of the channel must equal theflow rate at the outlet, as there is no storage or compression of thefluid. That flow rate will be set by Poiseuille's Law or a variantthereof to match the shape factor of the channel.

As can be seen in Equations 1 and 1b, flow rate is directly proportionalto the shape factor of the channel, which is a very strong function ofthe effective radius. A channel of very small effective radius slowsdown flow significantly. In a microchannel with differentcross-sectional areas, given a constant pressure, the flow rate of asingle fluid in the channel will be controlled by the smallestcross-sectional area (i.e., a flow constriction region) of the channelsystem.

As can also be seen from Equations 1 and 1b, the flow rate of a fluidthrough a tube or channel is an inverse function of that fluid'sviscosity. Through a given length of channel with the same pressure dropacross the inlet and outlet, a plug of a high viscosity fluid will movemore slowly than a similarly sized plug of a relatively lower viscosityfluid. In fact, the difference in flow rate can be calculated as:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{Q_{A}}{Q_{B}} = {{\frac{\eta_{B}}{\eta_{A}}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} Q_{A}} = {\frac{\eta_{B}}{\eta_{A}} \cdot Q_{B}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} )\end{matrix}$

A first fluid having a viscosity 100 times higher than the viscosity ofa second fluid will flow at a flow rate of 1/100 times the flow rate ofthat of the second fluid through the same channel. This feature can havemany uses in multi-component flows (e.g., flows of plugs of multiplefluids), particularly if at least two fluids in the system havesignificantly different viscosities (such as the factor of 100 shownabove).

If the components of flow are substantially incompressible (a reasonableassumption in some microfluidic systems), the flow rate of all thefluids in the system will be equal to one another. In the simplemicrochannel system described above with a single inlet, a singleoutlet, no connecting channels, and with a single flow constrictionregion with the remaining sections of the channel having a relativelylarger shape factor, the flow rate of the entire system may becontrolled by the flow rate through the flow constriction region. Forexample, when a fluid of low viscosity (e.g., fluid 40 of FIG. 1A) isflowing through the flow constriction region (e.g., second channelportion 34), it will flow relatively quickly, and the volumetric flowrate of each fluid in the system will be relatively high. When a fluidof high viscosity (e.g., fluid 42) flows through the same flowconstriction region, its flow rate will be much lower (e.g., by a factorequal to the ratio of viscosities of the first and second fluids), andthus the flow rate of each fluid in the system will be low.

To determine the flow rate of multiple fluids in a channel havingvarying cross-sectional areas, the flow rate can be determined bycomparing the ratio of channel dimensions to viscosity of the fluids.For instance, referring to FIG. 1A, the flow rate Q₁, of low viscosityfluid 40 in the flow constriction region (channel portion 34) isproportional to the channel dimensions of channel portion 34 over theviscosity of fluid 40 (e.g., Q₁˜A₁R₁ ² _(H)/η₁) according to Equation1b. The flow rate of, Q₂, high viscosity fluid 42 in channel portion 30is proportional to the channel dimensions of channel portion 30 over theviscosity of fluid 42 (e.g., Q₂˜A₂R₂ ²H/η₂). The flow rate of the twofluids may be governed by the slowest calculated flow rate Q₁ or Q₂.Thus, if Q₁<Q₂, the influence of the constriction region is greater thanthe influence of the high viscosity of fluid 42 on fluid flow. As aresult, the flow rate of both fluids 40 and 42 may be regulated by theflow of fluid 40 in the flow constriction region, rather than by highviscosity fluid 42 flowing in the non-constriction region.

Accordingly, appropriate channel dimensions and viscosities of fluidscan be chosen to regulate fluid flow in a channel system in a particularmanner. For example, in some embodiments, these parameters can be chosensuch that the flow rate in a microfluidic system is always regulated bythe flow of fluids in a flow constriction region whether the fluids arehigh- or low viscosity fluids. That is, the flow rate of one or morefluids will be regulated according to which fluid is flowing in the flowconstriction region. In other embodiments, flow rate is regulated in amicrofluidic system by the flow of a high viscosity fluid, whether it bein a flow constriction region or a non-constriction region.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1E, a channel may haveseveral channel portions of varying cross-sectional dimensions, such aschannel portions 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, and 71, which can be used tocontrol the rate of fluid flow. As illustrated, a channel may includemore than one non-constriction regions (e.g., channel portions 62 and70), as well as several channel portions that may act as flowconstriction regions (e.g., channel portions 64, 66, 68, and 71). Insuch a system, the flow rate of the fluids may be controlled by thesmallest ratio of channel dimensions to viscosity of the fluids, asdescribed above.

In some embodiments, particular fluid viscosities and channel dimensionsof a microfluidic system can be chosen such that the flow rate of thefluids is controlled by which channel portion the highest viscosityfluid resides, and is independent of which channel portion a lowviscosity fluid resides. For instance, a high viscosity fluid flowing inchannel portion 68 of FIG. 1E may cause the fluids to flow at theslowest flow rate, while the high viscosity fluid flowing in thenon-constriction regions may result in the fluids to flow at the highestflow rates. Flow of the high viscosity fluid in channel portions 64, 66,and 71 may cause the fluids to flow at intermediate flow rates.

In other embodiments, the limiting factor in regulating the flow rate ofthe fluids may depend, in part, on which channel portion the lowviscosity fluid resides. For example, a low viscosity fluid flowing in afirst flow constriction region can cause the fluids to flow at a slowerflow rate than a high viscosity fluid flowing in a second flowconstriction region (e.g., the first flow constriction region may have asmaller cross-sectional area than the second flow constriction region).

In more complicated systems, the overall flow velocity of the fluids canbe determined by the flow of more than one plugs of high viscosityfluid. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E, high viscosityfluids 75 and 79 have the same viscosity and are separated by a lowviscosity fluid. High viscosity fluid 75 may control the flow rate ofthe fluids as it enters channel portion 64, as this channel portion ismore constrictive to fluid flow compared to channel portion 66, wherehigh viscosity fluid 79 resides. However, as high viscosity fluid 79enters into channel portion 68, the flow velocity of the fluids will becontrolled by this high viscosity fluid, as channel portion 68 is morerestrictive to fluid flow than channel portion 64.

As described in more detail below, the rate of change of fluid flow(e.g., the deceleration and acceleration of fluid flow) may also becontrolled (e.g., increased or decreased) by choosing appropriateviscosities and channel dimensions. Deceleration of fluid flow may becaused by the introduction of a relatively high viscosity fluid into aflow constriction region. Acceleration of fluid flow may be caused bythe exiting of the relatively high viscosity fluid from a flowconstriction region into a region that is less constrictive to fluidflow. For example, in reference to FIG. 1F, a high viscosity fluidflowing from channel portion 92 to channel portion 94 can result in ahigh rate of deceleration of fluid flow since the change incross-sectional dimensions between channel portions 92 and 94 is abrupt.On the other hand, fluid flow may have a lower rate of deceleration whenthe high viscosity fluid flows from channel portion 96 to channelportion 98, as the changes in cross-sectional dimensions between thesechannel portions is gradual. Applications involving high rates ofdeceleration of fluid flow are described below.

Accordingly, in systems described herein, the cross-sectional dimensionsand configurations of the channel portions, the spacing of the channelportions, the length of the channel portions, the volume of the high andlow viscosity fluids, and the spacing between two or more fluids can bechosen to determine the flow rate of a fluid, the time at which thefluid reaches a particular region of the microfluidic system, the rateof change of fluid flow, and/or the amount of time the fluid resides inthat particular region. Such systems can offer control of flow velocitywithout the use of moving parts (e.g., valves) and/or without externalcontrol (e.g., changing flow rate by using pumps or vacuums that varypressure).

Although FIGS. 1A-1F show flow constriction regions in the form ofchannel portions having a smaller height than non-constriction regions,it should be understood that any suitable constriction to fluid flow canbe used in microfluidic systems described herein. For instance, whilechannel 20 may have a substantially uniform width 56 as shown in the topview of channel 20 in FIG. 1B, in other embodiments, a channel includinga flow constriction region may have a non-uniform width, as illustratedin the top view shown in FIG. 1G. Channel 22 of FIG. 1G includes asecond channel portion 34 comprising a narrow channel having a width 58that serves as a flow constriction region. The height of each of thechannel portions of channel 22 may be substantially the same, asillustrated in the side view of channel 22 shown in FIG. 1H, or in otherembodiments, the height of second channel portion 34 may be smaller thanthe other channel portions, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D. In yetother embodiments, the height of channel portion 34 may be larger thanthe height of channel portions 30 and 38. In the systems described aboveand herein, second channel portion 34 acts as a flow constriction regionas long as it is more restrictive to fluid flow compared to anon-constriction region. In some cases, greater restriction to fluidflow is caused by the cross-sectional area of the fluid path defined bychannel portion 34 being smaller than the cross-sectional area of thefluid path defined by channel portions 30 and/or 38.

As described herein, the amplitude of the change in cross-sectionbetween a flow constriction region and a non-constriction region mayhave a significant impact on the change in flow rate. The combination ofa reduction in channel width and channel height will have a greaterimpact than a reduction in width or height alone. This effect isdescribed by the following equation:

Q=(ΔP/8η)(AR _(h) ² /L)  (Equation 3)

with R _(h)=2A/p,  (Equation 4)

where Q is the volumetric flow rate, ΔP the pressure drop, η theviscosity, A the cross-sectional area of the channel, p the perimeter ofthe channel, and L the length of the channel. Thus, in some embodiments,it is advantageous to design flow constriction regions having both areduction in width and a reduction in height in order to reduce thecross-sectional area of the fluid path and achieve large changes involumetric flow rates.

It should be understood that a flow constriction region may include anysuitable configuration that causes a change (e.g., decrease) in velocityof a fluid flowing through the region compared to when the fluid is notflowing through the flow constriction region. For example, a flowconstriction region may have a height and/or a width of less than 500microns, less than 200 microns, less than 100 microns, less than 75microns, less than 50 microns, less than 30 microns, less than 25microns, less than 15 microns, less than 10 microns, or less than 5microns. Some such dimensions can allow the flow constriction region tohave a cross-sectional area that is at least 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75,or 100 times smaller than a cross-sectional area of an adjacent non-flowconstriction region. The cross-sectional dimensions of a flowconstriction region may be chosen, for example, to achieve a certainreduction in flow rate or a certain average rate of deceleration oracceleration of fluids, as described in more detail below.

In addition, a flow constriction region may have any suitable length ina microfluidic system. Typically, a longer length of a flow constrictionregion will cause the fluids to flow at a lower flow rate (e.g.,assuming a viscous fluid flows in the flow constriction region) for alonger period of time. This can allow, for example, a component tointeract at an analysis region for a prolonged period of time asdescribed in more detail below. The amount of time a fluid spends in aregion of the system can be predetermined or pre-calculated in part byknowing the dimensions of the channel, the viscosities of the fluidsbeing flowed, and the pressure differential between the inlet and theoutlet. Accordingly, a flow constriction region may have a length of atleast 1 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 1 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 5 cm,at least 10 cm, at least 20 cm, or at least 50 cm, and may be linear,serpentine, or may have any other suitable shape as necessary ordesired.

Although flow constriction regions comprising channel portions having asmaller height and/or width are presented in FIGS. 1A-1H, in otherembodiments, a flow constriction region can include a channel portionthat has the same width and/or height as a non-constriction region. Insome such embodiments, the channel portion of the flow constrictionregion may include one or more flow constriction elements positionedtherein. The flow constriction element(s) can effectively cause thecross-sectional dimension of the fluid flow path of the channel portionto be smaller than that of a non-constriction region.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, channel portion 34acts as a flow constriction region by containing a plurality of beads orparticles 102 that cause the flow path within the region to besubstantially smaller than channel portions 30 and 38 (e.g.,non-constriction regions). Because beads or particles 102 occupy spacewithin channel portion 34, there is less volume for fluid flow withinthis channel portion compared to the non-constriction regions. Thus, thecross-sectional area of the fluid path within channel portion 34 (e.g.,the combined fluid paths of the interstices/porous regions between thebeads or particles) is less than the cross-sectional area of the fluidpath defined by channel portions 30 or 38. The cross-sectional area ofthe fluid path of channel portion 34 and/or the resistance to fluid flowcan be changed, for example, by varying the size or packing of the beadsor particles, and/or by varying the affinity of the beads or particlesto the fluids being flowed in the channel.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2B, a flow constrictionregion may include a gel 104 in some embodiments. The gel matrix alsocauses the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow paths defined by theinterstices of the gel to be smaller than the cross-sectional area ofthe fluid flow paths defined by channel portions 30 and 38. The crosslinking density and the chemical composition of the gel matrix areexamples of parameters that can be changed in order to vary theresistance to fluid flow, and, therefore, the flow rate of a fluidflowing in the flow constriction region.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, channel portion 34 may include a plurality ofpillars 108 that affectively reduce the cross-sectional area of thefluid flow path within this channel portion. The pillars may extend froma top surface to a bottom surface of the channel, or may extendpartially from a single surface of the channel in any suitableconfiguration (e.g., patterned or non-patterned). It should beunderstood that the flow constriction regions illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2Care exemplarily and that other fluid constriction elements can beincorporated into microfluidic systems described herein. In addition,flow constriction regions can be positioned in any suitable position ina microfluidic system. For example, a flow constriction region may bepositioned upstream or downstream of other components of themicrofluidic system such as an analysis region, liquid containmentregion, inlet, outlet, etc.

The methods illustrated in connection with FIGS. 3A-3F and with otherembodiments described herein may be useful for certain solution-phasereactions that may be difficult to perform in some microfluidic systems.Many immunoassay formats are especially difficult to perform inmicrochannels due to the need to stop flow or substantially reduce flowrate. For example, in a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent acid(ELISA) assay, an enzyme linked to an antibody attached to a capturedbiomarker drives a reaction in the solution surrounding the capturedstructure, creating a reaction product that is potentially opticallyvisible. In a static reaction environment, such as a microwell, thequantity of reaction product builds up in the reaction area to a leveldetectible by various optical devices. In certain microfluidic systems,flow must be stopped or slowed down sufficiently to allow a detectiblesignal to be developed, otherwise reaction product is washed awaydownstream. The result is that insufficient reaction product remains inthe analysis region. In addition, in systems including multipledetection areas, reaction product could get washed into other areas,contaminating those areas and making independent measurementsimpossible. Stopping or substantially reducing flow rate in such asystem can be difficult.

In addition, in some microfluidic systems, a relatively large volume ofa sample or test fluid may be required to allow sufficient time forinteraction of components. This is because analyses in microfluidicsystems usually take place while the test fluid is flowing and/orbecause the nature of the interaction requires a certain amount of timein order to reach steady state (or, in order to obtain a signal that canbe analyzed). For example, in some assays, a few minutes may be requiredto allow sufficient binding between components, especially forinteractions involving a component in a fluid and a component disposedon a surface of an analysis region. The faster the flow rate of the testfluid, the more test fluid is required in order to allow the test fluidto pass over the analysis region for a specific amount of time; however,a slower flow rate means a longer waiting period before the analysis iscompleted.

Using methods and devices described herein, an analysis may be completedin a relatively short amount of time using only a small amount of testfluid since the test fluid can flow slowly in an analysis region, butquickly when flowing in other regions of the device. The amount of timeit takes the fluids to flow through certain regions of the device may becontrolled by choosing appropriate viscosity of fluids, cross-sectionalarea(s) of constriction region(s), and volume of fluids. In addition,the methods and devices described herein can mimic a static reactionenvironment similar to that of microwell-based assays, with pre-washing,post-washing, and other preparation steps familiar to conventionalmicrofluidic systems. The shift between these two different environmentscan take place, in some embodiments, without the use of moving parts(e.g., valves) and/or without external control (e.g., the use of pumpsor vacuums that vary pressure/flow rate in the system).

As mentioned, velocity control can be useful when performing chemicaland/or biological assays as well as other applications that requirespecific fluids to flow over a particular area (e.g., an analysisregion) for a set amount of time. As shown in the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, a method of controlling fluid flow in achannel may involve flowing a first fluid 42 (e.g., a high viscosityfluid) in a channel portion 30 of microfluidic channel 20. Meanwhile, asecond fluid 45 (e.g., a “test fluid”, a fluid including components tobe reacted or analyzed) may be flowed in channel portion 38. Secondfluid 45 may be introduced into channel portion 38 via channel portions30 and 34, or, in other embodiments, via an intersecting channel 35, ofwhich a cross section is shown in FIG. 3A. The flow rate of the fluidsin the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A may be controlled by a thirdfluid 46 (e.g., a fluid having a lower viscosity than that of the firstand/or second fluids), flowing in channel portion 34, which acts a flowconstriction region. The fluids flow at a first flow rate in thedirection of arrow 50 until first fluid 42 enters into the flowconstriction region of channel portion 34. As this takes place, each offluids 42, 45 and 46 flow at a second, slower flow rate.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, first fluid 42 (e.g.,a high viscosity fluid) remains in the flow constriction region for arelatively long period of time due to the slow flow velocity of the highviscosity fluid through this region. At this point in time, second fluid45 has reached analysis area 54 (i.e., a region in which a chemicaland/or biological reaction and/or analysis of a fluid component can takeplace) and remains at the analysis region as long as first fluid 42remains in the constriction region. Advantageously, this can allow oneor more components of second fluid 45 to interact at the analysis regionfor a sufficient amount of time to effect a chemical and/or biologicalreaction to a desired extent. For example, in one exemplary embodiment,second fluid 45 includes one or more components that can be involved ina chemical and/or biological reaction with a component of analysisregion 54. A component of second fluid 45 may be a binding partner,which can bind or interact with a complementary binding partner disposedwithin (e.g., on a surface of) analysis region 54. Thus, when secondfluid 45 flows through analysis region 54, the interaction between thebinding partners can take place. In some embodiments, the flow rate ofthe fluids may be so slow (e.g., on the order of a few nanoliters persecond) while the high viscosity fluid flows through the flowconstriction region, that the system mimics a static environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, after second fluid 45 has passed throughanalysis region 54 for an appropriate amount of time, the system may bedesigned such that first fluid 42 exits the flow constriction regioninto channel portion 38. This can stop additional component interactionsfrom occurring at the analysis region. Meanwhile, the flow constrictionregion may be filled with fluid 47, which can cause the fluids to flowat a relatively higher flow rate in the microfluidic system. Fluid 47may be, for example, a low-viscosity, high velocity fluid such as abuffer, which may be useful for washing off non-specific binding at theanalysis region. A high velocity fluid such as a buffer may also be usedto pre-wash a surface (e.g., an active surface within a microchannel)before performing the analysis.

In other embodiments, a surface of an analysis region is not washedafter effecting a chemical and/or biological reaction, since doing sowould wash away any signal that has been built up within the region. Insome such cases, the test fluid remains at the analysis region while ameasurement of the chemical and/or biological reaction is obtained. Inother cases, the test fluids exits the analysis region and the analysisregion is filled with a different fluid (e.g., a high- or low viscosityfluid), which can reduce the amount of background noise within theanalysis region 54 while a measurement is being performed. The systemmay be designed such that the fluid flows slowly enough through theanalysis region to prevent washing away of the signal in the region. Forinstance, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3D, third fluid46 may replace second fluid 45 (e.g., a test fluid) in the analysisregion, but may flow slowly through the analysis region as first fluid42 remains in the flow constriction region.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, a test fluid (e.g., second fluid 45) anda high viscosity fluid (e.g., first fluid 42) may be separated by aseparation fluid (e.g., third fluid 46). A separation fluid may beuseful to separate fluids and to prevent contamination between fluidsduring an analysis. In addition, if a device includes stored reagents,by maintaining a separation fluid between each of the reagents in areagent storage area, the stored fluids can be delivered in sequencefrom the reagent storage area while avoiding contact between any of thestored fluids. Any separation fluid that separates the stored reagentsmay be applied to the analysis region without altering the conditions ofthe analysis region. For example, if antibody-antigen binding hasoccurred at an analysis region, air can flow through this region withminimal or no effect on any binding that has occurred.

In some embodiments, all of the fluids used in a device areincompressible; however, in other embodiments, one or more of the fluidsis compressible. For instance, a separation fluid may be in the form ofa compressible gas (e.g., air, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.). In addition, insome cases all of the fluids used in a device are miscible, but in othercases, one or more of the fluids is immiscible or only slightlymiscible. For instance, a separation fluid may be in the form of anorganic solvent or a fluorinated solvent (e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane)and poly(trifluoropropylmethysiloxane)).

In another embodiment, a test fluid and a high viscosity fluid arepositioned immediately adjacent one another in a microfluidic system, asshown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3E. In this configuration,there is no need for separation fluid, making the technique applicableto simpler assay procedures that do not require such fluid(s) to preventcontamination.

Sometimes, a test fluid is a relatively high viscosity fluid and is usedto control the rate of fluid flow in a microfluidic system. For example,as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3F, fluid 45 (e.g., a testfluid such as blood, serum, plasma, tear fluid, saliva, urine, sperm,sputum, or any other fluid of interest that may include a component tobe reacted and/or analyzed) may be more viscous than another fluid 46(e.g., a low viscosity fluid such as a buffer) in the microfluidicsystem. Thus, when fluid 46 flows through the constriction regiondefined by channel portion 34, the fluids flow at a relatively higherflow rate; when fluid 45 flows through the same channel portion, thefluids flow at a relatively lower flow rate. In some embodiments, a flowconstriction region can include an analysis region 54 so that while thetest fluid is flowing slowly through the flow constriction region, achemical and/or biological interaction takes place at that region. Thisand other configurations can allow the interaction to occur for a longerperiod of time at the analysis region compared to the same fluidsflowing in a microfluidic system without the flow constriction region.For example, the use of a flow constriction region and/or a viscousfluid can allow an interaction of a component to occur at least 3 times,at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 20 times, at least 35times, at least 50 times, at least 70 times, or at least 100 timeslonger at a region (e.g., an analysis region) as a result of a fluid(e.g., a relatively high viscosity fluid) flowing from one channelportion to another, compared to the absence of that fluid flowing fromthe one channel portion to the other. This can allow an interaction tooccur at an analysis region for at least 5 seconds, at least 15 seconds,at least 30 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 5minutes, at least 15 minutes, or at least 30 minutes, for example.Cell-based assays and other interactions may be performed in thismanner.

A multitude of variations can be made to the devices and methodsdescribed above. For example, in one embodiment, the sample is blood anda plug of higher viscosity fluid such as glycerol can be used to slowflow. In contrast, with the same sample, a plug of lower viscosity fluidsuch as air (a compressible fluid) can be used to accelerate flow.Multiple plugs of different viscosity fluids could be used to providedifferent flow rates (and thus velocities).

As described herein, a flow rate of a fluid may decrease (or increase)substantially due to factors such as the difference between theviscosities of fluids, the cross-sectional areas of channel portions(and/or fluid flow paths within the channel portions). For instance, avolumetric flow rate of a fluid (e.g., a sample of interest and/or ahigh viscosity fluid) may decrease (or increase) by a factor of at least3, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 25, at least 35, atleast 40, at least 50, at least 75, at least 85, or at least 90 in themicrofluidic system as a result of a fluid flowing from a first channelportion to a second channel portion, compared to the absence of flowingthe fluid from the first channel portion to the second channel portion.In some embodiments, the above-mentioned decreases or increases in flowrate can take place in less than 30 seconds, less than 20 seconds, lessthan 10 seconds, less than 5 seconds, less than 3 seconds, less than 2seconds, or less than 1 second. Flowing a fluid having a relativelyhigher viscosity from a non-constriction region to a flow constrictionregion can cause the flow rate to decrease, while flowing the fluid froma flow constriction region to a non-constriction region can cause theflow rate to increase (e.g., assuming a relatively lower viscosity fluidenters the flow constriction region in place of the higher viscosityfluid). Similarly, a relatively low viscosity fluid can be used toincrease the velocity of high viscosity fluids by allowing the lowviscosity fluid to enter a flow constriction region from anon-constriction region (e.g., assuming the low viscosity fluid entersthe flow constriction region in place of the higher viscosity fluid). Insome embodiments, such and other examples of increasing and decreasingflow rate can be performed without completely stopping the one or morefluids.

It should be understood that any suitable fluid can be used as first,second, third, fourth, etc. fluids and such fluids may include one ormore samples to be tested, components to be interacted, buffers,reagents, and the like. In addition, such fluids may servesimultaneously as a sample and a high viscosity fluid, as a sample and alow viscosity fluid, as a buffer and a low viscosity fluid, as aseparation fluid and a high viscosity fluid, as separation fluid and ahigh viscosity fluid, as a separation fluid and a compressible orincompressible fluid, etc.

A variety of fluid viscosities can be used to control flow rates offluids in microfluidic systems described herein. For example, a fluidmay have a viscosity of at least 5 mPa·s, at least 15 mPa·s, at least 25mPa·s, at least 30 mPa·s, at least 40 mPa·s, at least 50 mPa·s, at least75 mPa·s, at least 90 mPa·s, at least 100 mPa·s, at least 500 mPa·s, atleast 1000 mPa·s, at least 5000 mPa·s, or at least 10,000 mPa·s. Veryhigh viscosity fluids may be used when it is desirable to mimic stoppageof fluid flow in the microfluidic system. Non-limiting examples offluids that can be used as relatively high viscosity fluids includeglycerol/water mixtures, liquid polymers (such as liquid PDMS or othersilicone oils), aqueous solutions of polymers such as poly(vinylalcohol) or poly(acrylic acid), aqueous solutions of biopolymers suchsucrose or dextrin, and solutions of polymer in organic solvents such aspolystyrene in dimethylsulfoxide. The formulation of thesehigh-viscosity fluids can be adjusted to reach pre-determinedviscosities. For example, the viscosity of glycerol/water mixtures canbe adjusted between, e.g., about 0.89 mPa·s and about 934 mPa·s (at 25°C.). Liquid PDMS can be selected with viscosities ranging from, e.g.,about 6 mPa·s (Fluka AS4) to about 1000 mPa·s (Fluka AR1000).Non-limiting examples of fluids that can be used as relatively lowviscosity fluids include water, air, buffer solutions, andperfluorodecadin. Body fluids such as blood, serum, sputum, urine,sperm, feces can serve as relatively low viscosity fluids or highviscosity fluids, e.g., depending on the other fluids present in thesystem.

In embodiments involving more than one fluid in the microfluidic system,a first fluid and a second fluid may have different viscosities. In somecases, the viscosities of the first and second fluids differs by afactor of at least 3, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 25,at least 40, at least 50, at least 75, at least 85, at least 90, atleast 100, at least 120, at least 130, at least 150, at least 300, atleast 500, or at least 1000. As described herein, the types of fluidsand viscosities of fluids can be predetermined and pre-calculated priorto use based on, for example, the flow rates to be achieved, the averagerate of deceleration/acceleration, the type of assay, and the geometryof the microfluidic system. Such calculations can be performed by thoseof ordinary skill in the art using general knowledge known in the art incombination with the description contained herein.

In addition, a fluid may have any suitable volume and/or length in amicrofluidic channel. For instance, a fluid may have a volume of atleast 10 pL, or in other embodiments, at least 0.1 nL, at least 1 nL, atleast 10 nL, at least 0.1 μL, at least 1 μL, at least 10 μL, or at least100 μL.

In some embodiments, the methods described in connection with FIGS.3A-3F and with other systems described herein are performed whileapplying a substantially constant non-zero pressure drop (i.e., ΔP)across an inlet and an outlet of a microfluidic system. A substantiallyconstant non-zero pressure drop can be achieved, for example, byapplying a positive pressure at the inlet or a reduced pressure (e.g., avacuum) at the outlet. In some cases, a substantially constant non-zeropressure drop is achieved while flow does not take place predominatelyby capillary forces and/or without the use of actuating valves (e.g.,without changing a cross-sectional area of a channel of fluid path ofthe microfluidic system).

Systems including application of a substantially constant non-zeropressure drop can be contrasted with capillary flow systems, whichtypically involve a changing pressure drop across a channel system, aswell as electrophoresis-based systems, which do not require applicationof a pressure drop. It should be understood, however, that in certainembodiments, methods described herein can be performed with a changingpressure drop across an inlet and an outlet of the microfluidic systemby using capillary flow, the use of valves, or other external controlsthat vary pressure and/or flow rate.

In some cases, a substantially constant pressure drop is established ina microfluidic system including only a single inlet and a single outlet.In addition, systems may be designed such that one or more fluidconstriction regions do not build up pressure upon operation, such as byclogging of a flow constriction region with components of a fluid or byactuating a valve so that pressure builds up in the system. To achievesuch a system, a high viscosity fluid may be chosen such that itsviscosity is not too high so as to clog a flow constriction region.

Microfluidic systems described herein may optionally include a bypasschannel, i.e., a channel that is connected to an upstream portion and adownstream portion of a channel segment that allows a fluid to bypassthe channel segment. Thus, if the channel segment becomes clogged, afluid can flow in the bypass channel to reach the downstream portion ofthe channel segment. In some embodiments, methods and devices describedherein do not involve the use of bypass channels.

As described herein, flow constriction regions and fluids (e.g., in theform of plugs) of differing viscosities can be used to time flow inmicrofluidic systems. For instance, in some embodiments, given aconstant pressure drop across a microfluidic system, a plug of highviscosity fluid can be appropriately sized along with a flowconstriction to slow flow for a defined amount of time. A series of flowconstrictions or plugs of fluid can be used to program complex timing ofreagents in a flow system. Viscosity, plug length (e.g., volume),constriction length and diameter, for example, can be set to determinetiming, and programming can be accomplished by adjusting theseparameters, as well as by designing the microfluidic system to have aparticular configuration. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one exampleof an assay format that requires complex timing and which may benefitfrom a “flow-clock” in a microfluidic system; however, the methods anddevices described herein are applicable to any assay or interactionwhere timing of reagents is important. Timing may be an importantvariable in, for example, assays, including immunoassays, cell captureand counting, general chemistry tests, etc.

For example, referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, the length of time that fluid 45(e.g., a test fluid) remains in reaction area 54 can be controlledpredominately by the length of time that fluid 42 (e.g., a highviscosity fluid) remains in the flow constriction region. Thus, if thegoal is to allow interaction of two components at the analysis regionfor a defined period of time (e.g., to allow a timed reaction to occur),the volume and viscosity of fluid 42, as well as the dimensions (e.g.,cross-sectional area and length) of the flow constriction region, can bepredetermined to achieve this goal. Of course, the volume of fluid 45,the dimensions of the analysis region, and the pressure drop between theinlet and the outlet can also be predetermined in a similar fashion.Additionally, the timing of other reagents such as buffers, washsolutions, amplification reagents, markers, etc. can be controlled inthis manner. This is one example of how methods and devices describedherein can be used for viscosity-programmed velocity control and forachieving timing of reagents, e.g., even while a constant non-zeropressure drop is applied across an inlet and an outlet of a microfluidicsystem. The timing of reagents can also be achieved for theconfiguration shown in FIG. 3F.

Devices that are designed with particular geometries and for use withparticular volumes and viscosities of fluids to perform a specificinteraction (e.g., the detection of a particular marker for a diseasecondition) are also contemplated. Furthermore, devices may even includestored reagents in a particular sequence. For example, in oneembodiment, the application of a predetermined, non-zero pressuredifferential between the inlet and outlet of the device can allow thereagents, which may be stored as plugs of fluids in the device prior tofirst use, to flow in a particular sequence through an analysis regionfor a predetermined amount of time to allow pre-washing, interaction ofcomponents, and post-interaction steps to occur. The velocity at whichthese fluids flow through the analysis region can be controlled by theuse of flow constriction regions and other embodiments described herein.Additional examples are described below.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a device that includes a flow constrictionregion and which can be used to perform an assay. As shown in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, microfluidic system 57 includesmicrofluidic channel 59 in fluid communication with four analysisregions 61, 63, 65 and 67 positioned in series. One or more flowconstriction regions can be positioned before, after, on either side of,or between the analysis regions. As illustrated, each analysis region isin the form of a meandering (serpentine) channel 99, which is describedin more detail in International Patent Publication No. WO2006/113727(International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US06/14583), filed Apr.19, 2006 and entitled “Fluidic Structures Including Meandering and WideChannels,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes. In one embodiment, a first fluid 72 (e.g., a test fluid,such as a sample containing a component to be reacted or analyzed) isflowed into microfluidic channel 59 and each of the analysis regions.Fluid 72 may contain a component that interacts with a componentpositioned at one or more analysis regions. For example, the surfaces ofthe analysis regions may be pre-fabricated with physisorbed molecules toperform a particular assay.

In one embodiment, an immunoassay can be performed by patterninganalysis region 61 with Tween, analysis regions 63 and 65 withanti-human IgG, and analysis region 67 with human IgG. In thisembodiment, the immunoassay is designed to detect total human IgG inwhole blood. Thus, the introduction of fluid 72 (e.g., whole blood) intothe microfluidic system can cause binding between components of one ormore analysis regions with a component of the sample. The velocity offluid 72, and therefore, the amount of time that fluid 72 resides in theanalysis regions, can be controlled using one or more flow constrictionregions of the microfluidic system. For example, second fluid 76 may bea high viscosity fluid that, when flowed into the flow constrictionregion, causes fluid 72 to slow down. This can allow additional time forthe components of fluid 72 to interact with components disposed in theanalysis regions. As described herein, the volume and viscosities offluids 72 and 76, and the dimensions of the flow constriction region(s)can be predetermined and pre-calculated to allow fluid 72 to remain inthe analysis regions for a predetermined amount of time, even while aconstant pressure drop is applied between an inlet and an outlet of thedevice. After the sample has flowed over the analysis regions,additional reagents such as amplification reagents and buffer solutionscan then be flowed over the analysis regions.

In one particular embodiment, a device including a flow constrictionregion is used for performing an immunoassay for human IgG and usessliver enhancement for signal amplification. The device shown in FIG. 4,a device having a similar configuration as those described in U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 60/927,640, filed May 4, 2007, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/113,503, filed May 1, 2008, entitled“Fluidic Connectors and Microfluidic Systems”, which is incorporatedherein by reference its entirety for all purposes, or a different devicemay be used to perform the immunoassay. In such an immunoassay, afterdelivery of a sample containing human IgG to a reaction area or analysisregion, binding between the human IgG and anti-human IgG can take place.One or more reagents, which may be optionally stored in the device priorto use, can then flow over this binding pair complex. One of the storedreagents may include a solution of metal colloid (e.g., a goldconjugated antibody) that specifically binds to the antigen to bedetected (e.g., human IgG). This metal colloid can provide a catalyticsurface for the deposition of an opaque material, such as a layer ofmetal (e.g., silver), on a surface of the analysis region. The layer ofmetal can be formed by using a two component system: a metal precursor(e.g., a solution of silver salts) and a reducing agent (e.g.,hydroquinone), which can optionally be stored in different channelsprior to use.

As a positive or negative pressure differential is applied to thesystem, the silver salt and hydroquinone solutions can merge at achannel intersection, where they mix (e.g., due to diffusion) in achannel, and then flow over the analysis region. Therefore, ifantibody-antigen binding occurs in the analysis region, the flowing ofthe metal precursor solution through the region can result in theformation of an opaque layer, such as a silver layer, due to thepresence of the catalytic metal colloid associated with theantibody-antigen complex. The opaque layer may include a substance thatinterferes with the transmittance of light at one or more wavelengths.Any opaque layer that is formed in the microfluidic channel can bedetected optically, for example, by measuring a reduction in lighttransmittance through a portion of the analysis region (e.g., ameandering channel region) compared to a portion of an area that doesnot include the antibody or antigen. Alternatively, a signal can beobtained by measuring the variation of light transmittance as a functionof time, as the film is being formed in a analysis region. The opaquelayer may provide an increase in assay sensitivity when compared totechniques that do not form an opaque layer. Additionally, variousamplification chemistries that produce optical signals (e.g.,absorbance, fluorescence, glow or flash chemiluminescence,electrochemiluminescence), electrical signals (e.g., resistance orconductivity of metal structures created by an electroless process) ormagnetic signals (e.g., magnetic beads) can be used to allow detectionof a signal by a detector.

Advantageously, in systems such as those described above, the amount oftime that the reagents spend in the analysis region can be controlled byflow constriction regions and other embodiments described herein.

Although immunoassays are primarily described, it should be understoodthat devices described herein may be used for any suitable chemicaland/or biological reaction, and may include, for example, othersolid-phase assays that involve affinity reaction between proteins orother biomolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, carbohydrates), or non-naturallyoccurring molecules. In some embodiments, a chemical and/or biologicalreaction involves binding. Different types of binding may take place indevices described herein. The term “binding” refers to the interactionbetween a corresponding pair of molecules that exhibit mutual affinityor binding capacity, typically specific or non-specific binding orinteraction, including biochemical, physiological, and/or pharmaceuticalinteractions. Biological binding defines a type of interaction thatoccurs between pairs of molecules including proteins, nucleic acids,glycoproteins, carbohydrates, hormones and the like. Specific examplesinclude antibody/antigen, antibody/hapten, enzyme/substrate,enzyme/inhibitor, enzyme/cofactor, binding protein/substrate, carrierprotein/substrate, lectin/carbohydrate, receptor/hormone,receptor/effector, complementary strands of nucleic acid,protein/nucleic acid repressor/inducer, ligand/cell surface receptor,virus/ligand, etc. Binding may also occur between proteins or othercomponents and cells. In addition, devices described herein may be usedfor other fluid analyses (which may or may not involve binding and/orreactions) such as detection of components, concentration, etc.

In some embodiments, it is desirable to quickly change flow rates offluids flowing between different regions of a microfluidic system.Quickly changing flow rates is difficult to achieve by some externalcontrol systems such as syringe pumps, since some such devices may causeback pressure to build up in the microfluidic system. However, by usingsystems and methods described herein, high rates of deceleration and/oracceleration can be achieved without the use of valves and/or withoutexternally controlling the system (e.g., changing flow rate by using asyringe pump or other flow-control device).

As described herein, the geometry of the channels of a microfluidicsystem can be designed to cause an abrupt change in flow rate (e.g., ahigh rate of acceleration or deceleration) upon a fluid entering orexiting a flow constriction region. For deceleration, a first channelportion may be a non-constriction region and a second channel portionmay be a flow constriction region. The most significant change in flowrate may take place upon a relatively high-viscosity fluid firstentering the fluid constriction region. Accordingly, the flow rate of afluid (e.g., a test fluid and/or a relatively high- or low-viscosityfluid) may decrease at a rate of at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 1000,2000, or 3000 nL/s² as a result of a fluid (e.g., a relativelyhigh-viscosity fluid) flowing from the first channel portion to thesecond channel portion, as measured by taking the absolute differencebetween the flow rates at a first time point just prior to the fluidentering the second channel portion (e.g., when the fluid is flowing inthe first channel portion) and a second time point when the flow ratehas substantially changed (e.g., decreased by at least 90%) whileflowing in the second channel portion, and dividing the difference inthe flow rate by the amount of time between the first and second timepoints. In some cases, the second time point is measured when the fluidhas reached a substantially constant flow rate while flowing in thesecond channel portion (e.g., such that the flow rate within the secondchannel portion varies by less than 5%). The upper bound for this rateof change may depend on the particular design of the microfluidicsystem, the volume and viscosity of the fluid(s), the pressuredifferential between an inlet and an outlet of the system, as well asother factors, and may be less than 10000 nL/s² in some embodiments.

For acceleration, the first channel portion may be a flow constrictionregion and the second channel portion may be a non-constriction region.The flow rate of a fluid (e.g., a test fluid and/or a relatively high-or low-viscosity fluid) may increase at a rate of at least 100, 200,300, 400, 1000, 2000, or 3000 nL/s² as a result of a fluid (e.g., arelatively high-viscosity fluid) flowing from the first channel portionto the second channel portion, as measured by taking the absolutedifference between the flow rate at a first time point just before thefluid exits the first channel portion, and the flow rate at second timepoint when the fluid has completely exited the first channel portioninto the second channel portion. In some such embodiments, the mostsignificant change in flow rate may take place upon the last portion ofa relatively high-viscosity fluid exiting the fluid constriction region.Thus, the rate of acceleration may depend on the volume or length of thefluid exiting the first channel portion. To account for this factor, insome cases, the above-mentioned rates may be measured by taking theabsolute difference between the flow rate at a first time point justprior to the last portion of the fluid exiting the first channelportion, and the flow rate at a second time point when all of the fluidhas exited the first channel portion. In some embodiments, the secondtime point is measured when the fluid has reached a substantiallyconstant flow rate while flowing in the second channel portion (e.g.,such that the flow rate within the second channel portion varies by lessthan 5%). The upper bound for this rate of change may depend on theparticular design of the microfluidic system, the volume and viscosityof the fluid(s), the pressure differential between an inlet and anoutlet of the system, as well as other factors, and may be less than10000 nL/s² in some embodiments.

A decreased (or increased) flow rate results in a decrease (or increase)in linear velocity, of the fluids in the microfluidic system. The changein linear velocity is the change in flow rate divided by the crosssectional area of the channel. An abrupt change in linear velocity canappear as a virtual stoppage in flow (without actual complete stoppage)or as a sudden start of flow. As examples, the linear velocity of afluid (e.g., a test fluid and/or a relatively high- or low-viscosityfluid) may decrease (or increase) at a rate of at least 20, 50, 500,1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, or 15000 μm/s² as a result of a fluid (e.g., arelatively high- or low-viscosity fluid) flowing from a first channelportion to a second channel portion (as measured by one of the methodsdescribed herein, e.g., by taking the absolute difference between theflow rates at a first time point just prior to a fluid entering thesecond channel portion and a second time point when the flow rate hassubstantially changed by at least 90%, and dividing the difference inthe flow rate by the amount of time between the first and second timepoints). The upper bound for this rate of change may depend on thedesign of the microfluidic system, the volume and viscosity of thefluid(s), the pressure differential between an inlet and an outlet ofthe system, as well as other factors, and may be less than 30000 μm/s²in some embodiments.

Changes in flow rate can be measured as a percentage change. This valuemay be calculated by taking the absolute difference between the flowrates at a first time point just prior to the fluid entering the secondchannel portion (e.g., when the fluid is flowing in the first channelportion) and a second time point when the flow rate has substantiallychanged (e.g., decreased by at least 90%), and dividing this value bythe flow rate at the first time point to obtain a percentage change. Insome cases, the second time point occurs when the fluid has asubstantially constant flow rate while in the second channel portion(e.g., such that the flow rate within the second channel portion variesby less than 5%). In some embodiments, relatively high rates ofdeceleration can result in the flow rate of one or more fluidsdecreasing quickly to nearly a stop (e.g., an at least 90%, 95%, or 97%reduction, but less than a 100% reduction in flow rate). For example, arelatively viscous fluid may have a first flow rate at a first timepoint just prior to the relatively viscous fluid entering a fluidconstriction region. The amount of time between the first time point anda second time point where the fluid has an at least 90% reduction (or,in some cases, at least 95% reduction) in flow rate (but less than a100% reduction in flow rate) relative to the first flow rate may be lessthan 10 seconds, less than 5 seconds, less than 3 seconds, less than 2seconds, or less than 1 second. In some embodiments, the at least 90%(or 95%) reduction in flow rate may be determined when the flow rate ofthe fluid reaches this value and is substantially constant (e.g.,varying by less than 10% or 5%). Similarly, accelerations can bemeasured as the percentage acceleration as the ratio of the initial flowrate and the final flow rate. Accelerations of at least 99% can beachieved in 3 seconds in some embodiments.

Percentage change in flow rate can be divided by the amount of timebetween the first and second time points to get another measure ofchange. For example, a 95% change in flow rate in 1 second would resultin a 95%/s change; in 2 seconds it would be 47.5%/s. Decelerations andaccelerations of at least 3%/s, 5%/s, 10%/s, 15%/s 20%/s, 30%/s, 48%/s,70%/s, 80%/s, 100%/s, and even 200%/s are possible, in certainembodiments, as the result of a fluid flowing from one channel portionto another channel portion.

Another useful measure of change in flow is as a ratio of the fasterflow to the slower flow. For example, a 90% reduction in flow calculatedin the manner described above corresponds to a 10 fold reduction in flow(and 95% corresponding to 20 fold, 99% corresponding to 100 fold). Asshown in equation 2, this ratio should match the ratio of the higherviscosity fluid to that of the lower viscosity fluid. Calculationsinvolving flow rate increases and decreases are presented in theExamples section.

As described herein, such high rates of deceleration and/or accelerationcan be achieved using one or more fluid constrictions and relativelyhigh- or low-viscosity fluids in combination with the descriptionherein, and in some cases, without the need for or use of moving parts(e.g., valves) or external control (e.g., changing flow rate by usingpumps or vacuums that vary pressure).

High rates of deceleration and/or acceleration of fluids are useful forprecisely controlling the volume and/or amount of time a fluid is incontact with a particular region of a microfluidic system. In addition,high rates of deceleration and/or acceleration can prevent or reducecross-contamination of fluids. For example, as mentioned above, in someembodiments it is not desirable to flow fluids at high velocities over asurface of an analysis region after performance of a chemical and/orbiological reaction, since doing so would wash away any signal that hasbeen built up within the region. For instance, referring to FIG. 4, ifdifferent component interactions occurred at analysis regions 61, 63,65, and 67, one way of reducing or preventing cross-flow of thecomponents from one analysis region to another is by substantiallyreducing the fluid flow in the system after the interactions haveoccurred. This can reduce the flow of components from an upstreamanalysis region (e.g., analysis region 61, 63 and/or 65) to a downstreamanalysis region, thereby allowing the signal at each analysis region tobe preserved without contamination. For instance, the decrease of flowrate of the fluids may essentially prevent transport of a component fromone analysis region to another during measurement of a signal from oneor more analysis regions. In addition, the analysis regions may besufficiently separated from each other such that the time it takes tomeasure a signal is less than the time for diffusion of components fromone analysis region to another. Advantageously, this reduction orprevention of cross-flow between components can take place using viscousfluids and flow constriction regions, even while a constant non-zeropressure drop is applied between an inlet and an outlet of themicrofluidic system. Therefore, fluid valves and/or externally varyingflow rate by using syringe pumps or other flow-control devices are notrequired.

Fully stopping or substantially stopping fluid flow are examples ofvelocity control. In some embodiments, a fluid having a high viscositycan be used in a microfluidic system described herein to slow down oneor more fluids such that the effect is a virtual stop in flow. There aremany instances where stopping or substantially slowing down flow isimportant. One example is safety when performing chemical or biologicalassays. In some such systems, it may be desirable to ensure thatreagents do not enter or exit a certain section of a microfluidicsystem. For example, if hazardous reagents are used, a safety feature ofthe device may include a flow constriction region positioned near anoutlet such that the reagents do not exit the device. Additionalexamples are described in more detail below.

As shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, microfluidicsystem 77 may include a microfluidic channel 78 in fluid communicationwith a liquid containment region 80. Downstream of the liquidcontainment region is a flow constriction region 82 in fluidcommunication with an overflow region 84. The overflow region isconnected to an outlet 86. An analysis region (not shown) may bepositioned upstream of the liquid containment region.

The liquid containment region may be used as a region to capture one ormore liquids flowing in the device, while allowing gases or other fluidsin the device to pass through the region. This may be achieved, in someembodiments, by positioning one or more absorbent materials in theliquid containment region for absorbing the liquids. In some cases, theliquid containment region prevents any liquid from passing through theregion, thereby preventing any liquid from exiting the device. Theliquid containment region may be in the form of a reservoir, channel, orany other suitable configuration as described below and in U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/994,412, filed Sep. 19, 2007, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/196,392, filed Aug. 22, 2008, entitled “Liquidcontainment for integrated assays”, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B, a fluid 72 may flowinto the liquid containment region, e.g., after an assay or anotheranalysis has been performed upstream of this portion of the device. Insome embodiments, the volume of the liquid containment region isdesigned such that it is larger than the volume of fluid intended to beflowed in the microfluidic system. Accordingly, all or most of thefluids (e.g., liquids) flowing in the microfluidic system may becaptured by the liquid containment region. However, in some cases, asmall portion of a fluid may exit the liquid containment region. Becauseflow constriction region 82 is positioned downstream of the liquidcontainment region, the introduction of a fluid into the flowconstriction region can drastically decrease the flow rate of the fluidsflowing in the microfluidic system. In some embodiments, thecross-sectional area of the flow constriction region can be so small sothat any liquid, whether it be a relatively high viscosity fluid or arelatively low viscosity fluid, causes a substantial decrease in flowrate once the fluid enters this region. For example, a cross-sectionalarea of a flow constriction region may be less than 250 μm², less than150 μm², less than 100 μm², less than 75 μm², less than 50 μm², lessthan 25 μm², less than 10 μm², less than 5 μm², or less than 1 μm².

In one particular embodiment, a vacuum is positioned at outlet 86, andis used to cause fluid 72 (e.g., in the form of a liquid) and a fluid 73(e.g., in the form of air) to flow in the microfluidic system. The flowrate of the fluids remain high as long as air flows through the flowconstriction region, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. However, as isillustrated in FIG. 5C, once liquid 72 fills the liquid containmentregion and reaches flow constriction region 82, the flow rate decreasesconsiderably, even if a constant pressure drop is being applied. If theflow constriction region is sized appropriately, the flow rate decreasesenough to approximate stoppage, without actually stopping fluid flow.Thus, there is no need for immediate stoppage of the vacuum, and yet noliquid exits the system.

Any fluid that may flow past the flow constriction region may becontained in overflow region 84. Thus, in one method of operating amicrofluidic system, no compressible fluids (e.g., liquids) exit anoutlet of the device during use. This mechanism can keep potentiallyinfectious or other hazardous fluids contained in a microfluidic system,and may be useful for disposable microfluidic cassettes.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, methods ofoperating a microfluidic system may include the use of plugs of fluid 72(e.g., a liquid) interspersed with plugs of a second fluid 73 (e.g., acompressible fluid such as air). The plugs of liquid may be captured inliquid containment region 80, while the plugs of air can flow throughthe liquid containment region at a relatively high flow rate. If theliquid containment region eventually fills with the liquid, the liquidmay enter the constriction region, thereby slowing the flow rate of thefluids upstream of the flow constriction region. In some cases, themicrofluidic system can be designed (e.g., with the use of a valve or animpediment) such that the entrance of a fluid in a flow constrictionregion stops the flow of fluids. In other embodiments, however, the flowrate of the fluids are substantially reduced, but not stopped. In eithercase, the flow constriction region may prevent any of the fluid in themicrofluidic system from exiting via the outlet during operation as aresult of the decrease in flow rate of the fluid.

FIGS. 7A-7C show another variation of microfluidic system 77 in whichtwo different fluids are captured in liquid containment region 80. Asillustrated, first fluid 72 (e.g., an aqueous solution) and second fluid75 (e.g., a hydrophobic solution) may be immiscible, and either fluidentering flow constriction region 82 may cause fluids upstream of thisregion to slow down or be prevented from exiting the device.

In some embodiments, a flow constriction region is associated with adetector that can detect the presence or absence of a fluid in or nearthe flow constriction region. For example, as shown in embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, a microfluidic system includes a detectionregion 81 in the form of a meandering channel positioned adjacent amicrofluidic channel 79. As a result of the meandering channel of thedetection region having a smaller cross-sectional area than that ofchannel 79, fluid 72 entering the meandering channel can cause fluidsupstream of this section to slow down. Furthermore, a detector (notshown) may be aligned with detection region 81 to detect the presence ofa fluid in this region. Upon detection of any liquid (or a particulartype of liquid) in detection region 81, a signal may be sent to acontrol system (not shown), which can shut down or modulate a source offluid flow in the system (e.g., a source of vacuum or a pump), therebypreventing the liquid from exiting the device. Additionally oralternatively, a second fluid constriction region 82 may be positionedadjacent the meandering channel and may be used to reduce the flow rateof fluids even more if fluid 72 exits the meandering channel. Thesefeatures may be combined with one or more fluid containment regions insome devices.

Some embodiments of the invention are in the form of a kit that mayinclude, for example, a microfluidic system, a source for promotingfluid flow (e.g., a vacuum), and/or one, several, or all the reagentsnecessary to perform an analysis except for the sample to be tested. Insome embodiments, the microfluidic system of the kit may have aconfiguration similar to one or more of those shown in FIGS. 1-8 and/oras described herein.

The kit may include reagents and/or fluids that may be provided in anysuitable form, for example, as liquid solutions or as dried powders. Insome embodiments, a reagent is stored in the microfluidic system priorto first use, as described in more detail below. When the reagents areprovided as a dry powder, the reagent may be reconstituted by theaddition of a suitable solvent, which may also be provided. Inembodiments where liquid forms of the reagent are provided, the liquidform may be concentrated or ready to use. The fluids may be provided asspecific volumes (or may include instructions for forming solutionshaving a specific volume) to be flowed in the microfluidic system. Oneor more fluids may be, for example, a relatively low viscosity fluidthat can be used to control the flow rate of fluids in the system. Oneor more relatively high viscosity fluids may be included for a similarpurpose. For instance, in some embodiments, the kit may include amicrofluidic system and a known volume of a relatively high viscosityfluid such that when the high viscosity fluid flows from one channelportion to another, the flow rate of one or more fluids in the systemdecreases by a predetermined and pre-calculated amount. The componentsmay be chosen to cause a decrease/increase in flow rate by any suitableamount (e.g., by a factor of at least 50) compared to the absence offlowing of the fluid from the one channel portion to the other.

The kit may be designed to perform a particular analysis such as thedetermination of a specific disease condition. In order to perform aparticular analysis or test using the kit, the microfluidic system maybe designed to have certain geometries, and the particular compositions,volumes, and viscosities of fluids may be chosen so as to provideoptimal conditions for performing the analysis in the system. Forexample, if a reaction to be performed at an analysis region requiresthe flow of an amplification reagent over the analysis region for aspecific, pre-calculated amount of time in order produce an optimalsignal, the microfluidic system may be designed to include a flowconstriction region having a particular cross-sectional area and lengthto be used with a fluid of specific volume and viscosity in order toregulate fluid flow in a predetermined and pre-calculated manner.Furthermore, the kit may include a device or component for promotingfluid flow, such as a source of vacuum dimensioned to be connected to anoutlet. The device or component may include one or more pre-set valuesso as to create a known (and optionally constant) pressure drop betweenan inlet and an outlet of the microfluidic system. Thus, the kit canallow one or more reagents to flow for a known, pre-calculated amount oftime at the analysis region, or at other regions of the system, duringuse. Those of ordinary skill in the art can calculate and determine theparameters necessary to regulate fluid flow using general knowledge inthe art in combination with equations 1-4 and the description providedherein.

A kit described herein may further include a set of instructions for useof the kit. The instructions can define a component of instructionalutility (e.g., directions, guides, warnings, labels, notes, FAQs(“frequently asked questions”), etc., and typically involve writteninstructions on or associated with the components and/or with thepackaging of the components for use of the microfluidic system.Instructions can also include instructional communications in any form(e.g., oral, electronic, digital, optical, visual, etc.), provided inany manner such that a user will clearly recognize that the instructionsare to be associated with the components of the kit.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, microfluidic systems describedherein contain stored reagents prior to first use of the device and/orprior to introduction of a sample into the device. In some cases, one orboth of liquid and dry reagents may be stored on a single microfluidicsubstrate. Additionally or alternatively, the reagents may also bestored in separate vessels such that a reagent is not in fluidcommunication with the microfluidic system prior to first use. The useof stored reagents can simplify use of the microfluidic system by auser, since this minimizes the number of steps the user has to performin order to operate the device. This simplicity can allow microfluidicsystems described herein to be used by untrained users, such as those inpoint-of-care settings, and in particular, for devices designed toperform immunoassays. It has been demonstrated previously that thestorage of the reagents in the form of liquid plugs separated by airgaps were stable for extended periods of time (see, for example,International Patent Publication No. WO2005/072858 (International PatentApplication Serial No. PCT/US2005/003514), filed Jan. 26, 2005 andentitled “Fluid Delivery System and Method,” which his incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes). In otherembodiments, however, microfluidic devices described herein do notcontain stored reagents prior to first use of the device and/or prior tointroduction of a sample into the device.

As used herein, “prior to first use” of the device means a time or timesbefore the device is first used by an intended user after commercialsale. First use may include any step(s) requiring manipulation of thedevice by a user. For example, first use may involve one or more stepssuch as puncturing a sealed inlet to introduce a reagent into thedevice, connecting two or more channels to cause fluid communicationbetween the channels, preparation of the device (e.g., loading ofreagents into the device) before analysis of a sample, loading of asample onto the device, preparation of a sample in a region of thedevice, performing a reaction with a sample, detection of a sample, etc.First use, in this context, does not include manufacture or otherpreparatory or quality control steps taken by the manufacturer of thedevice. Those of ordinary skill in the art are well aware of the meaningof first use in this context, and will be able easily to determinewhether a device of the invention has or has not experienced first use.In one set of embodiments, devices of the invention are disposable afterfirst use, and it is particularly evident when such devices are firstused, because it is typically impractical to use the devices at allafter first use.

As described herein, a microfluidic system may optionally include one ormore liquid containment region(s) that may be used to capture one ormore liquids flowing in the device. Such a microfluidic system may alsoinclude a source of vacuum positioned at an outlet of the device. Insome embodiments where an absorbent material is positioned in a liquidcontainment region that is separated from an outlet (e.g., by amicrofluidic channel), the absorbent material is not in direct contactwith an atmosphere external to the device. In some such embodiments, theabsorbent material is not accessible via the outlet. This arrangementmay, in some cases, reduce or prevent evaporation of a liquid from theabsorbent material and/or reduce exposure of the liquid to a user.Sometimes, this arrangement can be combined with a means of fluid flowother than absorption such as application of positive pressure at aninlet, application of vacuum at an outlet, gravity, capillary forces, orcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, an external source such asapplication of a positive pressure or a vacuum can be used to controlfluid flow, instead of forces that are inherent to a material and/or adimension of a device (such as wicking and capillary forces). Thus, theabsorbent material, in some such embodiments, is not used as a wick forcontrolling or modulating fluid flow in the device. In other words, theact of absorbing does not substantially modulate the flow rate of aliquid flowing at a region positioned upstream or downstream of theliquid containment region and/or at a region positioned outside of ananalysis region. The act of absorbing does not substantially modulatethe flow rate of a fluid if, for example, the rate of flow of the fluidis constantly being controlled by a source other than absorption (e.g.,pumping, gravity, capillary action, source of vacuum, etc.). If anyabsorption is present in the microfluidic system (e.g., in a liquidcontainment region), the resulting flow rate as provided by the sourcemay be much greater than the rate of absorption.

In certain embodiments, the flow rate as provided by a non-wickingsource may be at least 10 times, at least 20 times, at least 50 times,at least 70 times, or at least 100 times greater than the flow rateprovided by the wicking source, all else being equal. Therefore, eventhough absorption may take place in a microfluidic system, absorptiondoes not substantially contribute to the rate of fluid flow.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the volumetric flow rate of a fluid inthe microfluidic system is not substantially altered due to absorption.In certain such embodiments, because the flow rate of the fluid is notsubstantially modulated due to absorption, a liquid containment regionand absorbent material associated therewith, if present, may beconfigured in a variety of configurations and arrangements withoutneeding to account for the size and dimensions of the absorbentmaterial. This method of operating the device affords flexibility in thedesign and use of the device.

In other embodiments, however, fluid flow in the device may becontrolled and/or modulated by wicking action by using the absorbentmaterial as the main source of driving fluid flow. Control and/ormodulation of fluid flow can be enhanced especially in embodiments wherethe absorbent material is contained in a liquid containment regionhaving an outlet as part of the liquid containment region (e.g., wherethe absorbent material is in direct contact with an atmosphere externalto the device via the outlet), since liquid can evaporate from theabsorbent material, thereby enhancing the wicking action. In certainsuch embodiments, the absorbent material may extend beyond themicrofluidic system, e.g., by protruding out of an outlet. Fluid flow inthe device may also be controlled and/or modulated by wicking actionwithout substantial evaporation by, for example, not letting theabsorbent material extend beyond the microfluidic system but while usingthe absorbent material as the main source of driving fluid flow.

As mentioned above, in some instances, a liquid containment region isconfigured and arranged to contain, absorb or capture substantially allof the liquid in a device, thereby preventing any liquid from exitingthe device. That is, substantially all of the liquid introduced and/orstored in a microfluidic system ends up in the liquid containment regionafter use of the device. This arrangement can reduce the chances of auser being exposed to and/or infected by a liquid contained in thedevice. In some such embodiments, the liquid containment region furtherincludes a disinfectant material that neutralizes, reacts with,denatures, disinfects, and/or sterilizes a liquid, a component of theliquid, or a portion of a microfluidic system in contact with theliquid, as described in more detail below. Substantially all of theliquid may include, for example, greater than 95% of any liquid in themicrofluidic system in one embodiment, or, in other embodiments, greaterthan 97%, greater than 99%, or greater than 99.9% of any liquid in themicrofluidic system. Any remaining liquid that is not captured by thesystem may include, for example, minute portions of the liquid that maybe associated with a binding reaction at a reaction site and/or anyliquid remaining in a valve or other component positioned in the device(e.g., droplets or films of liquid left on a surface of the microfluidicchannel).

In some cases, the volume of the liquid containment region and/or volumeof the absorbent material is designed to be greater than the amount ofliquid to be used with the device (e.g., stored, introduced, etc.). Forinstance, in some embodiments, the total volume of liquids introducedinto the device, stored in the device, and/or flowing in the device isless than the volume of the liquid containment region. In some suchembodiments, substantially all of the liquid introduced, stored, and/orflowed in the device can be absorbed in the liquid containment region.In another embodiment, the combined volume of the microfluidic channels,inlets, and other areas of the device besides the liquid containmentregion is less than the volume of the liquid containment region and/orthe volume of the absorbent material.

A variety of absorbent materials may be used in devices describedherein. The material and configuration of the absorbent material maydepend, at least in part, on the fluid to be absorbed, compatibilitywith material(s) used to form the microfluidic system, configuration ofthe liquid containment region, or other factors. The absorbent materialmay be, for example, a solid material, a porous material, or in the formof particles, a powder, or a gel. In certain embodiments, the absorbentmaterial is dried such as a piece of fabric, cellulose (e.g., paper),cotton, or the like. The absorbent material may include a polymer suchpoly(dimethylsiloxane), polypropylene, polyacrylamide, agarose,polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-vinyl acetate, styrenes,polytetrafluoro ethylene, polysulfones, polycarbonates, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the absorbent material is in the form of a singlelayer of material, multiple layers of materials, particles, beads, acoating, or a film. The absorbent material may be hydrophilic,hydrophobic, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a liquidcontainment region can include more than one types of absorbent materialcontained therein.

A variety of determination (e.g., measuring, quantifying, detecting, andqualifying) techniques may be used. Determination techniques may includeoptically-based techniques such as light transmission, light absorbance,light scattering, light reflection and visual techniques. Determinationtechniques may also include luminescence techniques such asphotoluminescence (e.g., fluorescence), chemiluminescence,bioluminescence, and/or electrochemiluminescence. Those of ordinaryskill in the art know how to modify microfluidic devices in accordancewith the determination technique used. For instance, for devicesincluding chemiluminescent species used for determination, an opaqueand/or dark background may be preferred. For determination using metalcolloids, a transparent background may be preferred. Furthermore, anysuitable detector may be used with devices described herein. Forexample, simplified optical detectors, as well as conventionalspectrophotometers and optical readers (e.g., 96-well plate readers) canbe used.

In some embodiments, determination techniques may measure conductivity.For example, microelectrodes placed at opposite ends of a portion of amicrofluidic channel may be used to measure the deposition of aconductive material, for example an electroles sly deposited metal. As agreater number of individual particles of metal grow and contact eachother, conductivity may increase and provide an indication of the amountof conductor material, e.g., metal, that has been deposited on theportion. Therefore, conductivity or resistance may be used as aquantitative measure of analyte concentration.

Another analytical technique may include measuring a changingconcentration of a precursor from the time the precursor enters themicrofluidic channel until the time the precursor exits the channel. Forexample, if a silver salt solution is used (e.g., nitrate, lactate,citrate or acetate), a silver-sensitive electrode may be capable ofmeasuring a loss in silver concentration due to the deposition of silverin a channel as the precursor passes through the channel.

When more than one chemical and/or biological reaction (e.g., amultiplex assay) is performed on a device, the signal acquisition can becarried out by moving a detector over each analysis region. In analternative approach, a single detector can detect signal(s) in each ofthe analysis regions simultaneously. In another embodiment, an analyzercan include, for example, a number of parallel opticalsensors/detectors, each aligned with a analysis region and connected tothe electronics of a reader. Additional examples of detectors anddetection methods are described in more detail in U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/994,412, filed Sep. 19, 2007, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/196,392, filed Aug. 22, 2008, entitled “Liquidcontainment for integrated assays”, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

As described herein, a meandering channel of an analysis region may beconfigured and arranged to align with a detector such that uponalignment, the detector can measure a single signal through more thanone adjacent segment of the meandering channel. In some embodiments, thedetector is able to detect a signal within at least a portion of thearea of the meandering channel and through more than one segment of themeandering channel such that a first portion of the signal, measuredfrom a first segment of the meandering channel, is similar to a secondportion of the signal, measured from a second segment of the meanderingchannel. In such embodiments, because the signal is present as a part ofmore than one segment of the meandering channel, there is no need forprecise alignment between a detector and an analysis region.

The positioning of the detector over the analysis region (e.g., ameandering region) without the need for precision is an advantage, sinceexternal (and possibly, expensive) equipment such as microscopes,lenses, and alignment stages are not required (although they may be usedin certain embodiments). Instead, alignment can be performed by eye, orby low-cost methods that do not require an alignment step by the user.In one embodiment, a device comprising a meandering region can be placedin a simple holder (e.g., in a cavity having the same shape as thedevice), and the measurement area can be automatically located in a beamof light of the detector. Possible causes of misalignment caused by, forinstance, chip-to-chip variations, the exact location of the chip in theholder, and normal usage of the device, are negligible compared to thedimensions of the measurement area. As a result, the meandering regioncan stay within the beam of light and detection is not interrupted dueto these variations.

Though in some embodiments, systems of the invention may bemicrofluidic, in certain embodiments, the invention is not limited tomicrofluidic systems and may relate to other types of fluidic systems.“Microfluidic,” as used herein, refers to a device, apparatus or systemincluding at least one fluid channel having a cross-sectional dimensionof less than 1 mm, and a ratio of length to largest cross-sectionaldimension of at least 3:1. A “microfluidic channel,” as used herein, isa channel meeting these criteria.

The “cross-sectional dimension” (e.g., a diameter) of a channel ismeasured perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. Some fluidicchannels in microfluidic systems described herein have maximumcross-sectional dimensions less than 2 mm, and in some cases, less than1 mm. In one set of embodiments, all fluid channels containingembodiments of the invention are microfluidic or have a largestcross-sectional dimension of no more than 2 mm or 1 mm. In another setof embodiments, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the channel(s)containing embodiments of the invention are less than 750 microns, lessthan 500 microns, less than 200 microns, less than 100 microns, lessthan 50 microns, less than 25 microns, less than 10 microns, or lessthan 5 microns. Channels having smaller cross-sectional dimensions maybe used as flow constriction regions, for example.

In some cases the dimensions of the channel may be chosen such thatfluid is able to freely flow through the article or substrate. Thedimensions of the channel may also be chosen, for example, to allow acertain volumetric or linear flowrate of fluid in the channel. Ofcourse, the number of channels and the shape of the channels can bevaried by any method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Insome cases, more than one channel or capillary may be used.

A “channel,” as used herein, means a feature on or in an article(substrate) that at least partially directs the flow of a fluid. Thechannel can have any cross-sectional shape (circular, oval, triangular,irregular, square or rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like) and can becovered or uncovered. In embodiments where it is completely covered, atleast one portion of the channel can have a cross-section that iscompletely enclosed, or the entire channel may be completely enclosedalong its entire length with the exception of its inlet(s) andoutlet(s). A channel may also have an aspect ratio (length to averagecross-sectional dimension) of at least 2:1, more typically at least 3:1,5:1, or 10:1 or more. An open channel generally will includecharacteristics that facilitate control over fluid transport, e.g.,structural characteristics (an elongated indentation) and/or physical orchemical characteristics (hydrophobicity vs. hydrophilicity) or othercharacteristics that can exert a force (e.g., a containing force) on afluid. The fluid within the channel may partially or completely fill thechannel. In some cases where an open channel is used, the fluid may beheld within the channel, for example, using surface tension (e.g., aconcave or convex meniscus).

In some embodiments described herein, microfluidic systems include onlya single interconnected channel with, for example, less than 5, 4, 3, 2,or 1 channel intersection(s) when in use. A layout based on a singlechannel with minimal or no intersections may be reliable because thereis only one possible flow path for any fluid to travel across themicrofluidic chip. In these configurations, the reliability of achemical and/or biological reaction to be performed in the device isgreatly improved compared to designs having many intersections. Thisimprovement occurs because at each intersection (e.g., a 3-wayintersection or more), the fluid has the potential to enter the wrongchannel. The ability to load a sample without channel intersections caneliminate risk of fluid entering the wrong channel. Because anintersection may represent a risk factor that must be taken into accountin product development, controls (either on-chip or based on externalinspection) must be set up to insure correct fluid behavior at eachinterconnection. In certain embodiments described herein, the need forsuch additional controls can be alleviated.

A microfluidic system described herein may have any suitable volume forcarrying out a chemical and/or biological reaction or other process. Theentire volume of a microfluidic system includes, for example, anyreagent storage areas, reaction areas, liquid containment regions, wasteareas, as well as any fluid connectors, and microfluidic channelsassociated therewith. In some embodiments, small amounts of reagents andsamples are used and the entire volume of the microfluidic system is,for example, less than 10 milliliters, less than 5 milliliters, lessthan 1 milliliter, less than 500 microliters, less than 250 microliters,less than 100 microliters, less than 50 microliters, less than 25microliters, less than 10 microliters, less than 5 microliters, or lessthan 1 microliter.

A microfluidic system (e.g., a microfluidic substrate) can be fabricatedof any material suitable for forming a microchannel. Non-limitingexamples of materials include polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polystyrene,polycarbonate, poly(dimethylsiloxane), and a cyclo-olefin copolymer(COC)), glass, quartz, and silicon. Those of ordinary skill in the artcan readily select a suitable material based upon e.g., its rigidity,its inertness to (e.g., freedom from degradation by) a fluid to bepassed through it, its robustness at a temperature at which a particulardevice is to be used, and/or its transparency/opacity to light (e.g., inthe ultraviolet and visible regions). In some embodiments, the materialand dimensions (e.g., thickness) of a substrate are chosen such that thesubstrate is substantially impermeable to water vapor.

In some instances, a microfluidic substrate is comprised of acombination of two or more materials, such as the ones listed above. Forinstance, the channels of the device may be formed in a first material(e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane)), and a cover that is formed in a secondmaterial (e.g., polystyrene) may be used to seal the channels. Inanother embodiment, a channels of the device may be formed inpolystyrene or other polymers (e.g., by injection molding) and abiocompatible tape may be used to seal the channels. A variety ofmethods can be used to seal a microfluidic channel or portions of achannel, including but not limited to, the use of adhesives, gluing,bonding, lamination of materials, or by mechanical methods (e.g.,clamping).

The manufacturing processes used to produce devices by injection molding(or other plastic engineering techniques, such as hot embossing), oftenrequire molds having non-zero draft angles on some or all of thefeatures to be replicated in plastic. As known to those of ordinaryskill in the art, a draft angle is the amount of taper for molded orcast parts perpendicular to the parting line (a square channel withwalls perpendicular to the floor having a draft angle of zero degrees).A non-zero draft angle is often necessary to allow demolding of thereplica from the molding tool.

The fabrication of microstructures with non-zero draft angles ischallenging. For instance, for microfluidic structures (e.g., channels)having various depths, the corresponding mold must have features withmultiple heights in addition to non-zero draft angles. These types ofmolds can be challenging to fabricate on the microscale, as moldingmicrochannels in plastic with constrictions in draft angle, depth, aswell as in width is not trivial.

In fact, few techniques can yield the appropriate shapes for a moldhaving non-zero draft angles. To widen the breadth of technologies ableto produce the appropriate shapes, an indirect route to the fabricationof the mold can be chosen. For instance, the channels themselves can becreated in various materials, by various techniques to produce a master.The negative shape of the master is then obtained (e.g., byelectrodeposition), resulting in a mold for injection molding. Thetechniques capable of yielding a master with non-zero draft angles andvarious depths include: (1) milling with one or more trapezoidal-shapedbits, (2) photolithographic techniques in combination with thickphotosensitive polymers, for instance photosensitive glass orphotoresist like SUB, in combination with a back-side exposure or atop-side exposure with light with a non-normal angle. An example of theuse of non-normal top-side exposure with photosensitive glass to producefeatures with non-zero draft angles is described in U.S. Pat. No.4,444,616. The preparation of multiple depths can be achieved bymultiple photolithographic exposures onto multiple layers ofphotosensitive material. (3) KOH etching on silicon substrates can alsoproduce non-zero draft angles, according to the crystalline planes ofthe silicon. (4) Alternative to straight draft angles, channels havingrounded side-walls can also produce suitable master for molds. Suchrounded side-walls can be achieved by isotropic etching onto planarsurface (e.g., HF etching on Pyrex wafers), or by reflowing structuresphotoresist by heat treatment.

Accordingly, in some microfluidic systems described herein, it isdesirable to have microfluidic components (e.g., channels) havingnon-zero draft angles. The cross-sections of microfluidic channelshaving non-zero draft angles may resemble a trapezoid or aparallelogram. The draft angle may be, for example, between 1 and 30degrees, between 1 and 20 degrees, between 1 and 10 degrees, between 2and 15 degrees, between 3 and 10 degrees, or between 3 and 8 degrees. Insome cases, it is desirable for microfluidic channels to have certaindraft angles so that they are compatible with a certain detectiontechnique. For example, in one embodiment, a detection region having adraft angle of more than about 20 degrees is not optimal because it doesnot allow light from a particular light source to pass through theangled side-walls. Thus, depending on the particular detection techniqueand components used, microfluidic systems may be fabricated with varyingdraft angles.

The following examples are intended to illustrate certain embodiments ofthe present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting and donot exemplify the full scope of the invention.

Example 1 Fabrication of Microfluidic Channels

A method for fabricating a microfluidic channel system is described.

Channel systems, such as the ones shown in FIGS. 1-8, were designed witha computer-aided design (CAD) program. The microfluidic devices wereformed in poly(dimethylsiloxane) Sylgard 184 (PDMS, Dow Corning,Ellsworth, Germantown, Wis.) by rapid prototyping using masters made inSU8 photoresist (MicroChem, Newton, Mass.). The masters were produced ona silicon wafer and were used to replicate the negative pattern in PDMS.The masters contained two levels of SU8, one level with a thickness(height) of ˜70 μm defining the channels in the immunoassay area, and asecond thickness (height) of ˜360 μm defining the reagent storage andwaste areas. Another master was designed with channel having a thickness(height) of 33 μm. The masters were silanized with(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)trichlorosilane (ABC-R, Germany).PDMS was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and pouredonto the masters. After polymerization (4 hours, 65° C.), the PDMSreplica was peeled off the masters and access ports were punched out ofthe PDMS using stainless steel tubing with sharpened edges (1.5 mm indiameter). To complete the fluidic network, a flat substrate such as aglass slide, silicon wafer, polystyrene surface, flat slab of PDMS, oran adhesive tape was used as a cover and placed against the PDMSsurface. The cover was held in place either by van der Waals forces, orfixed to the microfluidic device using an adhesive.

In other embodiments, the microfluidic channels were made in polystyreneby injection molding. This method is known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

Example 2 Regulating Flow Rate Using Differential Viscosity of Fluidsand a Flow Constriction Positioned Upstream of an Analysis Region

This example describes a method for regulating the flow rate in amicrochannel using a flow constriction region positioned upstream of ananalysis region and fluids of different viscosities.

The microchannels produced in PDMS or Polystyrene (see Example 1) weresealed against a plate of polystyrene (NUNC Omnitray, VWR, West Chester,Pa.) in the case of PDMS, or a biocompatible adhesive (in the case ofpolystyrene substrates). For the latter, the polystyrene substrate wasdrilled to obtain access holes prior to application of the cover. In adifferent approach, the holes were formed in the thermoplastic duringthe injection molding process by using pillars inside the cavity of theinjection molding machine.

A first channel portion 30 and a third channel portion 38 (e.g., asshown in FIG. 1) were 500 μm wide and 376 μm deep; second channelportion 34, which was used as a flow constriction region, was 120 μmwide and 65 μm deep. All of the microchannels were filled with thefollowing dye solution: blue dye (Erioglancine, Sigma) was prepared at aconcentration of 0.5 mg/mL in phosphate buffer saline containing 0.2%Tween 20 (PBS/Tween). With a viscosity of roughly 1 mPa·s, this servedas the relatively low viscosity fluid. For a relatively high viscosityfluid, PDMS was used (Fluka, silicone oil DC200, Fluka, 100 mPa·s).

The inlet port of the microfluidic channel was filled with the aqueousdye solution, and a drop of liquid PDMS (˜20 μL) was pipetted onto theinlet port of the microchannel. Then a vacuum (−10 kPa) was applied tothe outlet of the channel to pull the sequence through the microchannel.Using a stereomicroscope, the velocity of the fluids in themicrochannels under vacuum could be monitored by observing thedisplacement of the interface between the blue dye and the PDMS as afunction of time. An initial relatively high linear velocity wasobserved when only the blue dye flowed through the constriction. Adecrease of flow velocity was observed as the PDMS reached and enteredthe constriction. All flow velocities reported are the linear velocitiesof flow in the large channel.

Linear velocity of flow was measured approximately every 0.09 seconds.The initial linear velocity of flow in the non-constriction channel was4976 μm/s at point A. As shown in FIG. 9A and Table 1A, as soon as thePDMS plug began to enter the flow constriction region (point B), thelinear velocity of the plugs and the flow rate dropped by a factor 11(e.g., from 4976 μm/s to 456 μm/s, and 936 nL/s to 86 nL/s) in 0.45seconds. This is a deceleration in linear velocity of 10,044 μm/s² andcorresponds to a deceleration (in velocity and flow rate) of 91%(relative to the initial flow rate of 4976 μm/s or 936 nL/s), or adeceleration of 202%/s. The deceleration was measured by taking theabsolute difference between the flow rate at a first time point justprior to the fluid entering the fluid constriction region (4976 μm/s)and a flow rate at a second time point when it substantially decreased(e.g., by 90%, point C) while flowing in the flow constriction region(456 μm/s). These differences in flow rate were divided by the amount oftime between the first and second time points (0.45 s). After 1 second,while the PDMS was still filling the flow constriction region, the flowhad decelerated by a factor of 18. After 5 seconds, PDMS filled all ofthe flow constriction region and the flow was effectively brought to anear, but incomplete stop. With a 100 to 1 ratio of viscosities betweenthe high viscosity fluid and the low viscosity fluid, total decelerationin the range of a factor of 100 was expected. At this minimum flow rate,the flow had decelerated by a factor 47 (e.g., from 4976 μm/s to 106μm/s, and 936 nL/s to 20 nL/s). This is a deceleration in linearvelocity of 974 μm/s², and corresponds to a deceleration (in velocityand flow rate) of 98% (relative to the initial flow rate of 4976 μm/s or936 nL/s), or a deceleration of 20%/s. This experiment shows that flowrate decreases substantially once a relatively high-viscosity fluidenters a fluid constriction region, as illustrated by the sharp curvebetween points A and C in FIG. 9A.

TABLE 1A Deceleration of fluids from a non-constriction region to a flowconstriction region reference V dV/dt Q dQ Ratio Decel. Decel. time (s)(μm/s) (μm/s²) (nL/s) (nL/s²) (fast:slow flow) (%) (%/s) 0 4,976 9360.45 456 10,044 86 1,888 10.9 91% 202%  1 274 4,702 51 884 18.2 94% 94%2 160 2,408 30 453 31.2 97% 48% 3 137 1,613 26 303 36.3 97% 32% 4 1191,214 22 228 41.8 98% 24% 5 106 974 20 183 46.7 98% 20%

A separate experiment was performed to measure the acceleration achievedwhen a low viscosity fluid (aqueous dye) replaces a high viscosity fluid(PDMS) in the flow constriction region. In this experiment, themicrochannel was initially filled with the aqueous dye solution.Remaining solution in the inlet port was aspirated and liquid PDMS (2-3μL) was introduced in the bottom of the port. Additional aqueous dyesolution was pipetted onto the inlet port. The vacuum was increased toapproximately −30 kPa to draw the full length of the PDMS plug throughthe flow constriction region in a reasonable time. When the PDMS beganto exit the flow constriction region (being replaced by the lowerviscosity dye solution), the flow began to accelerate slightly. As thePDMS completely exited the constriction region, the flow accelerateddramatically. The flow velocities and accelerations were varied inseparate experiments by changing the strength of the vacuum.

As shown in FIG. 9B and Table 1B, the linear velocity of the plugs andthe flow rate increased by a factor 174 (e.g., from 236 μm/s to 41,112μm/s, and 44 nL/s to 7729 nL/s) in 3 seconds. This is an acceleration inlinear velocity of 13,229 μm/s², as measured by taking the absolutedifference between the flow rate at a first time point just prior to thehigh-viscosity fluid exiting the fluid constriction region (236 μm/s,point D) and a flow rate at a second time point when the high-viscosityfluid has completely exited the flow constriction region (41,112 μm/s,point F). In this experiment, the second time point is also when thefluid has a substantially constant flow rate after exiting the flowconstriction region. These differences in flow rate were divided by theamount of time between the first and second time points (3 s).Calculated as a percentage of the flow at 3 seconds, this corresponds toan acceleration (in velocity and flow rate) of 99%, or acceleration of33%/s. The rates of acceleration can be increased by decreasing thelength/volume of the high-viscosity fluid. This experiment shows thatflow rate increases substantially once a relatively high-viscosity fluidexits a fluid constriction region, as illustrated by the sharp curvebetween points E and F in FIG. 9B.

TABLE 1B Acceleration of fluids from a flow constriction region to anon-constriction region reference V dV/dt Q dQ Ratio Acc. Acc. time (s)(μm/s) (μm/s² ) (nL/s) (nL/s²) (fast:slow flow) (%) (%/s) 0 236 44 1 26226 49 4.9 1.1 10% 10% 2 341 52 64 9.9 1.4 31% 15% 2.91 2,099 640 395 1208.9 89% 30% 3 41,113 13,625 7,729 2,562 174.1 99% 33%This example shows that flow rate can be regulated using relativelyviscous fluids and flow constriction regions in a microfluidic system.This example also shows that high rates of deceleration and accelerationof fluids can be achieved.

Example 3 Regulating Flow Rate Using Differential Viscosity of Fluidsand a Flow Constriction Positioned Near an Outlet of a MicrochannelSystem

This example describes a method for regulating the flow rate in achannel using a flow constriction positioned downstream of an analysisregion near an outlet of the microchannel system.

A microfluidic device having four sections, as shown in FIG. 6A, wasformed using the method described in Example 1. The first sectionincluded a channel 78 having a width of 120 μm and a depth of 50 μmconnecting the inlet of the device to a second section, a liquidcontainment region 80. Some areas of channel 7 were modified withbiochemical probes to perform a heterogeneous assay (e.g., animmunoassay). The liquid containment region (33 mm in diameter, 370 μmdeep) contained an absorbent material (polyester/cellulose wiper, VWR).Downstream of the chamber was a third section, a flow constrictionregion 82 in the form of a narrow channel (50 μm wide, 33 μm deep),which connected the liquid containment region to channel portion 84, anoverflow region (Section 4, 120 μm wide and 50 μm deep).

A section of polyethylene tubing (PE-100, 0.034″×.0.06″ from BraintreeScientific, Inc.) was connected to a Hamilton glass syringe (VWR), toaspirate a pre-formed sequence of fluids by manually actuating thepiston. The sequence included multiple pairs of plugs of PFD (5-10 μL)and red dye in PBS/Tween (5-10 μL). The total volume of the plugs waslarger than the absorbent capacity of the liquid containment region. Thetubing containing the reagents was fitted at the inlet of themicrochannel system; another tubing connected the outlet of the systemto a source of vacuum.

Upon activation of the vacuum (−30 kPa), the sequence of fluids movedtoward the vacuum, and the fluids were trapped in the liquid containmentregion until the capacity of the absorbent was reached. The flow rate ofthe fluid was measured by recording the linear velocity of theinterfaces PFD/red dye in channel 78. After the liquid containmentregion reached its capacity, some fluid from the liquid containmentregion flowed into flow constriction region 82, which caused the flow toslow down by a factor 2.5, as shown in FIG. 10. After the reduction inflow rate, the fluid took a few minutes to reach the end of the flowconstriction region and fill the overflow region. This design offers ameans to significantly increase the time required for the fluid to exita liquid containment region, reach the outlet of the microfluidicsystem, and potentially reach the vacuum. This feature is especiallyuseful for bioassays involving (bio-) hazardous liquid (e.g., blood) toavoid contamination of the instrumentation and/or the user in case ofimproper use of the microfluidic device (e.g., by applying too muchliquid compared to the capacity of the waste absorbent pad).

Example 4 Substantially Reducing Flow Rate in a Microfluidic SystemUsing Differential Viscosity of Fluids

This example describes a method for substantially reducing the flow rateof a fluid in a microchannel without the use of active valves.

A microfluidic device having a configuration similar to the one shown inFIG. 4 was formed by injection molding in polystyrene. The microfluidicdevice included a single section (width of 120 μm and a depth of 50 μm)in fluid communication with the inlet of the device to the outlet(vacuum). Some areas of the channel (e.g., the analysis regions) weremodified with biochemical probes to perform a heterogeneous assay (e.g.,an immunoassay).

A section of polyethylene tubing (PE-100, 0.034″×.0.06″ from BraintreeScientific, Inc.) was connected to a Hamilton glass syringe (VWR), whichwas used to aspirate a pre-formed sequence of fluids by manuallyactuating the piston. The sequence included a first reagent plug (e.g.,a substrate for an enzyme) followed by a second plug of immiscible fluidhaving a viscosity substantially larger than that of the first liquid,for example using PFD (a viscosity of approximately 1 mPa·s) andglycerol (a viscosity of approximately 934 mPa·s), respectively. Thetubing containing the reagents was connected to the inlet of themicrochannel; another tubing connected the outlet to a source of vacuum.

Upon activation of the vacuum (−30 kPa), the sequence of fluids movedtoward the vacuum and the PFD filled the microchannel. Once the glycerolentered the microchannel and filled about 25% of the length of themicrochannel (or a length of about 20 mm), the flow rate of the fluidssubstantially decreased. At this point, the inlet and outlet were vented(e.g., to atmospheric pressure) and the direct observation of thePFD/glycerol interface with a stereomicroscope allowed detection of flowin the channel. The microfluidic system was then turned 90 degrees (suchthat the vector of gravity was parallel to the length of the channel,resulting in the apparition of hydrostatic pressure within themicrofluidic device). No flow was recorded within minutes after stoppingthe vacuum. In a control experiment where glycerol was exchanged by reddye in PBS/Tween (which has a viscosity similar to that of the PFD), theinterface was recorded to move at about 40 μm/s when the microfluidicdevice was tilted 90 degrees.

After disconnecting the primary driver of flow, residual flow can oftenstill occur, such as flow induced by gravity (hydrostatic pressure).This experiment shows that the use of a high viscosity fluid incombination with a flow constriction can effectively suppress or reduceresidual flow.

Example 5 Performing a Bioassay by Modulating Flows Using DifferentialViscosity of Fluids

This example describes a method of performing a bioassay using fluidflows that were modified by differential viscosity of the fluids.

A microfluidic system having a configuration similar to the one shown inFIG. 4, with microchannels having a width of 120 μm and a depth of 50μm, was formed by injection molding in polystyrene. The microfluidicsystem was composed of sections where the channel was linear and othersections where the channel formed a meandering region. The microchannelwas continuous and did not include any intersections with otherchannels. The microchannel formed a series of four connected, meanderingregions that served as analysis regions: analysis region 61 (zone 1),analysis region 63 (zone 2), analysis region 65 (zone 3), and analysisregion 67 (zone 4) as illustrated in FIG. 4. The surface of eachanalysis region was modified with proteins, each protein having aspecific role in the bioassay. In this example, analysis regions 61, 63,and 67 were coated with a solution of BSA (1% in PBS), whereas analysisregion 65 was coated with a solution of horseradish peroxidase-labeledanti-mouse IgG in PBS (Sigma). After incubation, the surface of themicrofluidic device was rinsed with PBS, DI water, and then dried withpressurized nitrogen. An adhesive lid was positioned onto the device toclose off the channels. A blocking solution was then aspirated insidethe channel to further coat all inner surfaces of the microchannels withBSA.

A section of polyethylene tubing (PE-100) was loaded with either asubstrate solution (TMB, ready to use solution, Sigma) which was used asa control, or with a sequence of the substrate solution followed by aplug of high viscosity oil (PDMS, 100 mPa·s, Flucka). Each tubing wasconnected to the inlets of the microfluidic devices, and a −20 kPavacuum was applied at the outlet to allow the liquid to flow inside themicrochannels. Based on observations with a stereomicroscope, the vacuumwas stopped (i.e., the device vented) when the oil reached the end ofthe first analysis region. Alternatively, the arrival of oil in thefirst analysis region could be monitored using an optical setup tomeasure optical density in the analysis region (e.g., using a platereader, a drop in optical density of about 0.045 A.U. can be observedwhen the oil enters the analysis region). At that point, themicrofluidic device was inserted inside a plate reader, which waspre-programmed to perform time-course reading of optical density in eachof the analysis regions.

Once the substrate reached analysis region 65, it was hydrolyzed toproduce a dye that can be used to perform a wide range of colorimetricassays. Other types of substrates could be used for fluorescence ofchemiluminescence detection. In the control system, while the flow wasmaintained, the dye washed away as it was enzymatically produced. Whenthe device was vented, however, the flow rate reduced and the dyeaccumulated within the volume of fluid in the meandering region to buildup a signal. If a residual flow remained, it slowly washed away the dye,preventing the build up of a signal. Moreover, the dye carried over intoneighboring analysis regions and induced false readouts. In thisexperiment, the devices were maintained at a horizontal position tominimize the effect of the gravity on the fluid contained in the device(i.e., hydrostatic pressures). For instance, the plate reader (where thedevice was positioned to perform time-course measurement) was leveled.

In the control device that did not contain a high viscosity fluid, itwas observed that the dye from analysis region 65 (zone 3) was washedaway towards the fourth analysis region (zone 4), thereby creating asignificant signal in this region (FIG. 11A). In contrast, in the devicecontaining the high viscosity fluid, a high-intensity signal remained inanalysis region 65 (zone 3) only, as expected, and no dye could bedetected in neighboring analysis regions (FIG. 11B). The systemcontaining the high viscosity fluid did not promote contamination of dyeto the other analysis regions because the high viscosity fluid caused asubstantial reduction in flow rate and residual flow of the fluids whenthe source of vacuum was removed. The absence of residual flow in thedevice with high viscosity fluid was further demonstrated by the gain insignal intensity achieved in analysis region 65 (zone 3) compared to thedevice that did not have any high viscosity fluid.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been describedand illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readilyenvision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing thefunctions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of theadvantages described herein, and each of such variations and/ormodifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatall parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the teachings of thepresent invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize,or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, manyequivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention describedherein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoingembodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Thepresent invention is directed to each individual feature, system,article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, anycombination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials,kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials,kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included withinthe scope of the present invention.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a microfluidic systemcomprising: a first plug comprising a first fluid and a second plugcomprising a second fluid contained in the microfluidic system, whereinthe first and second plugs are separated by a separation fluid; an inletand an outlet; an analysis region positioned between the inlet and theoutlet; a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the analysisregion, the microfluidic channel comprising a first channel portionhaving a first cross-sectional area; and a flow constriction regionpositioned downstream of the first channel portion and upstream of theoutlet, wherein the flow constriction region has a secondcross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being at least 10times smaller than the first cross-sectional area, wherein the flowconstriction region has a height and/or a width of less than 75 microns.2. A method, comprising: in a microfluidic system comprising: a firstplug comprising a first fluid and a second plug comprising a secondfluid contained in the microfluidic system, wherein the first and secondplugs are separated by a separation fluid; an inlet and an outlet; ananalysis region positioned between the inlet and the outlet; amicrofluidic channel in fluid communication with the analysis region,the microfluidic channel comprising a first channel portion having afirst cross-sectional area; and a flow constriction region positioneddownstream of the first channel portion and upstream of the outlet,wherein the flow constriction region has a second cross-sectional area,the second cross-sectional area being at least 10 times smaller than thefirst cross-sectional area, wherein the flow constriction region has aheight and/or a width of less than 75 microns, performing the steps of:flowing the first plug at a first flow rate; flowing the first plug fromthe first channel portion to the second channel portion; and causing avolumetric flow rate of the first plug to decrease by a factor of atleast 50 in the microfluidic system.
 3. A device as in claim 1, whereinthe flow constriction region has a height and/or a width of less than 50microns.
 4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the flow constriction regionhas a length of at least 1 cm.
 5. A device as in claim 1, wherein thesecond cross-sectional area is at least 25 times smaller than the firstcross-sectional area.
 6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the flowconstriction region has a length of at least 2 cm.
 7. A device as inclaim 1, wherein the flow constriction region comprises a serpentineconfiguration.
 8. A device as in claim 1, comprising a liquidcontainment region positioned downstream of the flow constrictionregion, wherein the liquid containment region comprises an absorbentmaterial.
 9. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first channel portionhaving the first cross-sectional area is upstream of the analysisregion.
 10. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first and second plugsof fluid are stored and sealed in a reagent storage area of the device.11. A device as in claim 10, wherein the first and second plugs of fluidare liquids.
 12. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first and secondplugs are stored and sealed in a microfluidic channel of the device. 13.A device as in claim 12, wherein the first and second plugs of fluid areliquids.
 14. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first and/or secondfluid is a buffer solution.
 15. A device as in claim 1, wherein thefirst and/or second fluid comprises a reagent for a chemical and/orbiological reagent.
 16. A device as in claim 9, wherein the analysisregion is a reaction area comprising physisorbed molecules.
 17. A deviceas in claim 1, comprising an optical detection region associated withthe flow constriction region.
 18. A device as in claim 17, comprising adetector associated with the optical detection region, wherein thedetector is adapted and arranged to detect a fluid flowing in the flowconstriction region.
 19. A device as in claim 1, wherein the secondcross-sectional area is at least 25 times smaller than the firstcross-sectional area, wherein the flow constriction region has a lengthof at least 2 cm, and wherein the flow constriction region comprises aserpentine configuration.
 20. A device as in claim 19, wherein the firstand second plugs of fluid are stored and sealed in a microfluidicchannel of the device, and wherein the first and second plugs of fluidare liquids.
 21. A device as in claim 1, wherein the analysis region isa part of the microfluidic channel comprising the first channel portion.22. A device as in claim 1, wherein the analysis region is a part of theconstriction region.